Second organ transplant from brain dead patient at SUMUM saves lives

Bhubaneswar: In a remarkable display of compassion and medical expertise, SUM Ultimate Medicare (SUMUM), a quaternary care hospital in Bhubaneswar, organised the successful transplantation of vital organs from a brain dead patient for the second time in nine months. The liver and heart of Krushna Chandra Mahabhoi, a 48-year-old CRPF jawan, were procured after he was pronounced brain dead on March 23, providing hope and life to two critically ill patients in other cities.

Mahabhoi, admitted to the hospital on March 20 due to kidney failure, underwent treatment in the ICU but unfortunately suffered a subdural haemorrhage leading to brain death. Following confirmation through an Apnea test on Sunday, his family decided to donate his organs, initiating a rapid coordination between SUMUM, State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (SOTTO), Regional Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (ROTTO), and National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO).

The liver was airlifted to Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital and Research Centre in Mumbai, while the heart was transported to Medica Superspeciality Hospital in Kolkata. Two medical teams from these metro cities collaborated with SUMUM surgeons to retrieve the organs, facilitated by a green corridor from the hospital to Biju Patnaik International Airport.

Dr Swetapadma Dash, CEO of SUMUM, expressed pride in the hospital’s commitment to transforming lives through organ donation. This act of altruism not only saved lives but also marked a significant milestone as it was the first time a heart was transported out of Odisha for transplantation, she said.

Acknowledging the family’s selfless decision, Dr Dash highlighted SUMUM’s ongoing efforts to promote organ donation, including initiatives like ‘Angadan Mahotsav’. The successful transplantation was overseen by Dr Tapas Behera and Dr Banambar Ray.