50-year-old brain dead woman gives new lease of life to many

Pune: A 50-year-old Pune resident on a two-wheeler met with an accident on Shankar Sheth Road at 11 pm on May 28. Resuscitated and brought to Jehangir Hospital the lady underwent a CT scan which showed subdural hematoma (collection of blood outside the brain.) She underwent a brain surgery at 2:30 am on the same night but after no improvement in her condition for 48 hours, she was declared brain dead. 

Admitted under the care of Dr Abhay Somani at Jehangir Hospital, the cardiologist said the woman was healthy and the family and the doctors team made their best efforts to revive her. “When declared brain dead, the family – despite being a large one – from both sides, did not hesitate to donate her organs,” said Dr Somani.

When Dr Somani and transplant coordinator Vrinda Pusalkar mooted the idea of organ  donation, the family did not hesitate at all.

As per hospital officials, the liver was sent to Apollo Hospital in Nashik to a 32-year-old and one kidney was transplanted in Jehangir Hospital to a 56-year-old and another kidney was sent to Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital to a 50-year-old. 

Dr Shriniwas Ambike, nephrologist at Jehangir Hospital said, “The patient who received the kidney is responding well after the surgery and will be discharged from hospital soon,” said Dr Ambike.

The younger brother-in-law of the donor said the family has been involved in social work for a long time and so not even one person from their families hesitated in donating the organs.

“Her eyesight had a high number so we couldn’t give her corneas. In fact, even her daughters agreed to donate her organs. This was the best way to ensure her memory lives on,” said a family member.

Dr Sachin Vaze, Dr Shriniwas Ambike, Dr Yogesh Sohoni and Dr Kirpekar along with anaesthetist Dr Avantika Bhat were a part of the operating team.