Fortis hospital carries out city's 18th heart transplant

The inter-state cadaver organ transplant programme strengthens with Mumbai witnessing its 18th heart transplant on Tuesday. A 53-year-old man at Fortis Hospital was given another shot at life after the family of a 54-year-old brain-dead man in Surat agreed to donate his heart. The heart was flown to Mumbai in a chartered flight.

Dr S Narayani, zonal director, Fortis Hospital, Mulund, said: "This is the fifth time we have received a donor's heart from Gujarat and their support to the Heart Transplant Programme is very encouraging. We hope to build up such channels across all neighbouring states. The coordination for this transplant is indeed exemplary; it transpired only when the NGO Donate Life, the Mahavir Hospital medical team and the airport traffic authorities joined hands to save a life."

The recipient, also a resident of Surat, has been on the cadaver organ waiting list of Zonal Transplant Coordination Committee for the past two months.

Dr Anvay Mulay, chief of cardiac transplant team, Fortis Hospital, Mulund, said: "The recipient's condition was rapidly deteriorating and a transplant surgery was absolutely essential to save him. This surgery was only possible because of the courageous family of the donor. We are indebted to them as they have helped us save a precious life. The surgery was conducted and the patient is now stable. He has been moved to the ICU and will be kept under observation for the next 48-72 hours." Apart from the heart, the donor's family also consented to donate his kidneys, liver and corneas.