In a profound act of generosity amid personal tragedy, the family of a 44-year-old man from Haryana has given the gift of life to five individuals through organ donation. The man, who was admitted to Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGI) on November 23 with a severe head injury, was declared brain dead on November 27, following which his family consented to donate his organs.
A Legacy of Life Through Organ Donation
The patient's wife made the courageous decision to honor what she believed would have been her husband's wish to help others. Her consent set in motion a carefully coordinated medical effort that would ultimately save three terminally ill patients and restore vision for two individuals suffering from corneal blindness.
Following the family's consent, PGI immediately activated its Organ Retrieval and Allocation System under the National Organ Transplant Programme. This system ensures ethical and transparent allocation of organs to those most in need.
Historic Medical Achievement for Punjab
The liver allocation marked a significant milestone for healthcare in the region. The liver was allocated through the national network to the Punjab Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (PILBS) in Mohali, enabling the institute to perform its first-ever cadaver liver transplant.
Meanwhile, both kidneys were successfully transplanted at PGI, saving two patients suffering from renal failure. The corneas were used to restore sight for two individuals battling corneal blindness.
Medical Community Hails Coordination and Courage
Prof Vivek Lal, PGI director, described the support extended to PILBS for its inaugural cadaver liver transplant as "a major milestone for Punjab's healthcare." The successful collaboration between the two institutions demonstrates the growing effectiveness of India's organ transplant infrastructure.
Prof Vipin Koushal, nodal officer for ROTTO (North) at PGIMER, praised both the family's extraordinary courage and the seamless coordination between PGIMER and PILBS that ensured ethical and timely organ allocation.
Dr Virendra Singh, PILBS director, expressed gratitude to PGI for its guidance and affirmed his institute's commitment to expanding life-saving opportunities through such collaborations.
This case highlights how organ donation can transform unimaginable personal loss into hope and healing for multiple families. The successful transplants demonstrate the critical importance of organ donation awareness and the sophisticated medical infrastructure required to make such life-saving procedures possible.
