punjab

Updated: May 28, 2016 21:45 IST

A 70-year-old woman will continue to live in four others after her death. Her vital organs have given a new life to patients at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh.

Her kidneys have been transplanted in two patients with chronic renal failure and her corneas have given eyesight to two others. This is the 12th case of cadaver transplant at the PGIMER this year as against five in the corresponding period last year.

Vimla Devi, a native of Shankar Nagar in Hoshiarpur, had an accidental fall at her house and was rushed to the PGIMER with a brain haemorrhage on May 14. A team of doctors tried in vain to save her life and she was declared brain dead.

On Saturday, Vimla’s son Dharminder Sondhi gave his consent to donate her organs to the PGIMER. “My mother will now live in others. It’s satisfying that her organs have been able to save four families from the pain and trauma that we are going through,” said Sondhi.

“The family, especially her son, was aware of organ donation, and it was not difficult to convince them,” said a transplant coordinator at the PGIMER.

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Nodal officer, regional organ and tissue transplant organisation (ROTTO) Dr Vipin Koushal said: “The patient was re-evaluated and declared brain dead as per the protocols and the organ retrieval happened subsequently. We must acknowledge the contribution of the family for their exemplary and altruistic spirit to have taken the decision to save others’ lives.”

Dr Koushal said: “The country needs to improve the rate of organ donation. The government has taken some positive steps on this in the region by designating the PGIMER as the regional organ and tissue transplant organisation under national organ and tissue transplant programme. Synergised efforts and engagement of the civil society, religious leaders and other stakeholders are required for creating public awareness about the cause.”

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