68-Year-Old Brain-Dead Donor from Pune Saves Liver Patient’s Life
Pune, January 08th, 2025: Family of a 68-year-old man from Pune, who was declared brain dead at Manipal Hospital, made a brave decision to donate his organs on Friday. Mr.Tibra Kumar Baruah who was a patient of chronic kidney disease, was getting his treatment at Manipal Hospital, Baner. On January 1st, 2025, he was rushed to the hospital after developing sudden loss of consciousness. Upon arrival to emergency department patient was put on a ventilator to keep his oxygenation levels stable. CT scan showed severe brain hemorrhage that led to extensive damage to brain.
After 24 hours in ICU, despite the best efforts of the doctors to stabilise him, his condition continued to deteriorate. He was declared brain dead after conducting 2 sets of brain death testing.
The medical team from the Critical Care and Neurosurgery Department along with Transplant Coordinator counselled the family about organ donation. Since the patient himself was on a waiting list for a kidney transplant, his family understood the importance of organ donation and agreed to donate the heart and liver, but due to the patient’s age, only the liver was eligible for donation. After receiving consent from the family, the Zonal Transplant Coordination Centre (ZTCC) was immediately informed. The officials from ZTCC quickly allocated the organs as per their waiting list.
Dr. Bhushan Nagarkar, Consultant and Head of Critical Care, Manipal Hospital, Baner, said, “Our team closely counselled and supported the patient’s family, helping them to make an informed and courageous decision. The liver was successfully retrieved and allocated for transplantation to a 54 year-old male patient at Sahyadri Hospital, Pune. The generosity of the donor’s family in the face of loss is truly commendable and serves as an inspiration for many to consider organ donation. Managing brain dead patient has different set of challenges including hormone replacement, stabilization of vital parameters to maintain important organ function in an optimal state.”
Dr. Shrey Shah, Consultant Neurosurgery, Manipal Hospital, Baner, said,”In the case of severe bleeding in brain we could not save a life, but the gift of organ donation holds the power to create a new beginning and extend the legacy of compassion and healing”
Mr. Anand Mote, Cluster Director, Manipal Hospital, Baner, said, “The courageous decision of the family to donate organs has made a profound difference in another patient’s life. Although medical limitations prevented the retrieval of the heart and kidney, their willingness to donate is a true reflection of the donor’s nature of helping those in need. Organ donation is truly the gift of life, offering hope and a second chance to those in need. We strongly encourage more people to consider organ donation so that every eligible organ can help save lives.”
