Kerala Government's Organ Donation Program Witnesses Its First Transplant

First transplant with the heart from a patient who passed away in Thiruvananthapuram was taken to Kochi where a recipient was waiting was ensured by The Kerala government's organ donation program officials said.

The heart was airlifted to Kochi with the help of the Indian Navy, said the Chief Minister's Office. "The chief minister sought the services of the navy and got an aircraft which brought in doctors from Kochi. In a few hours, the heart was taken out from the patient and was taken to Kochi, where another patient was waiting for it," said an official in Chief Minister Oommen Chandy's office.

The district authorities in Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi made elaborate arrangements for the speedy transfer to and from the airport as traffic was brought to a standstill for the time the heart was transported.

"The chief minister took up this case as part of the 'Mrithasanjeevani' program that facilitates organ transplant," said the official.

Source: IANS