Man donates brain-dead wife's organs

CHANDIGARH: In a rare act, a person from village Tira in Mohali donated organs of his wife who had suffered brain-death while being treated at PGIMER here and his bold decision gave new lease of life to two patients suffering from end stage kidney disease and two others with visual impairment.
  
The doctors at the PGI transplanted two kidneys in two different patients suffering from end stage kidney disease who have now recovered from their illness and the two eyes were used to perform cornea transplant for the two needy patients.
  
"Unfortunately, organs cannot be used from all persons after death as these deteoriorate as soon as the circulation of blood stops. But if the death occurs in hospital and the organs can be removed within 30 minutes, they can be put to use and help save lives," PGI's head of transplant surgery, M Minz told a press conference here on Thursday.
  
Usha Rani (45) who had been admitted to PGI two weeks back with a problem in her heart valve, all of a sudden developed stroke and subsequently was declared brain-dead, he said.   

When this was communicated to her husband Hemraj, he was inconsolable, but he was given the option of donating his loved one's organs who was now no more.
  
"He wanted to see his wife once who was still on a ventilator and on life support medicines in the ICU. Her heart was still beating. The skin was warm and she appeared to be very much alive, but there was no response from her. We explained Hemraj about this condition called brain death where the body could be maintained on artificial support for some time before the organs start to fail and give away," Minz said.
  
Minz said that 48-year-old Hemraj turned out to be true hero despite coming from a rural background with modest education and agreed to donate Usha's organs when he was told about its immense benefit.
  
After Hemraj agreed to donate organs of his wife, PGI started process of certification of brain death and after six hours a team of doctors carried out another examination after which Usha was finally declared as dead.
  
"For the first time, the PGI also coordinated with Organ Replacement and Banking Organisation, New Delhi and a team of surgeons had come from the national capital to retrieve the patient's liver, but unfortunately it did not turn out to be healthy and was not used," he informed.
  
"The doctors silently watched this man as he received the body of his wife, who was admitted on June 21, and we saluted him for his generous act, which we hope will motivate others to follow in his footsteps," he said, adding the PGI had decided to waive off all the dues for Hemraj, the least they could do.
  
Hemraj said that the decision to donate organs of his wife was a difficult decision, but it has provided "the much needed solace" to him and his family members.