Udupi: Accident victim donates organs; saves lives of six patients

Vital organs of a 38-year-old accident victim who was declared brain dead in the Udupi district have helped to save the lives of six persons.

The deceased, Naveen, a resident of Kokkarne, Brahmavar taluk, met with an accident on Wednesday, June 8 at Kokkarne. He was severely injured and admitted to Kasturba Hospital, Manipal for further treatment on Thursday, June 9.

Despite doctors’ efforts to salvage him, the prognosis was poor and he did not show any signs of recovery. Naveen was declared brain dead by the panel of expert doctors as per the protocol stipulated by the Transplantation of Human Organ Act 1994 officially twice at 6 hours intervals. The first was at 5 pm on Friday and the second at 11.35 pm. Subsequently, Naveens’s wife, Mallika, and her family members expressed their willingness to donate viable organs to save other needy patients’ life.

As per Jeevasarthakathe, SOTTO, Bengaluru protocols, and decisions, one kidney and liver were sent to KMC Hospital, Ambedkar Circle, Mangaluru for registered patients, and one kidney, corneas/eyeballs, and skin were retained by Kasturba Hospital Manipal for the registered patients and this cause helped to save the lives of 6 people.

Wife and family members of Naveen, said, “Organ donation is a noble cause and Naveen has committed a great deed even in his death.”

Medical superintendent Dr. Avinash Shetty said, “Organ donation is a great work to save lives, and people should encourage such good things.” He thanked Naveen’s family who decided to do this noble cause. Good thing is that day-by-day awareness of organ donation is increasing among the public, he added.

Dr. Sunitha Shetty, a native of the Naveen family, “I know him and his family very well. His family came forward for organ donation by setting aside all grief. This is a matter of appreciation. Naveen comes from poor family background. He was the backbone of his family. But now he has lighted up other patients’ lives. His family needs economic support. His children are small and pursuing education.” Urging to extend financial assistance to his family, she said, “If any kind-hearted people support Naveen’s family, we will be grateful to them.”

The harvested organs were transferred to the recipient hospital with the support of the Udupi and Dakshina Kannada police departments from Manipal to Mangaluru via a green corridor.