PUNE: A 25-year-old full-term pregnant woman’s life, tragically cut short in a deadly road accident, has become a beacon of hope for four lives forever changed. Declared brain-dead shorty after delivering a healthy baby boy, her vital organs saved three more lives, in a poignant tale of tragedy, compassion and medical innovation.
The woman, 38 weeks into pregnancy, was travelling pillion on a two-wheeler with her husband when the couple met with an accident in Ahmednagar on Jan 20. She was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital with severe head injuries. She was shifted to a private hospital at Kharadi in Pune the next day where doctors conducted a craniotomy and then a C-section on her to deliver the baby boy.
Decision to donate organs in such a tragic situation demonstrates extraordinary courage and compassion. One kidney and liver were allocated to two patients in need at DPU Super Specialty Hospital. Her second kidney was allocated to the common pool. This was transplanted into a patient on Jan 24. Her corneas have been stored in eye bank
— Dr Vrishali Patil
After the delivery, the woman was kept under observation since her condition was critical. When her brain stem reflexes remained poor, she was declared brain-dead. Refusing to believe the doctors, her family members took her to DPU Super Specialty Hospital at Pimpri Chinchwad in Pune, where doctors confirmed that diagnosis of the previous hospital.
“Even after receiving the best possible medical and surgical treatment, she could not be saved,” a doctor said.
After counselling, her husband and father consented to organ donation on Jan 23. Dr Vrishali Patil with DPU Super Specialty Hospital said, “The decision to donate organs in such a tragic situation demonstrates extraordinary courage and compassion. One kidney and liver were allocated to two patients in need at DPU Super Specialty Hospital who underwent transplant on Jan 24. Her another kidney was allocated to the common pool through the Zonal Transplant Coordination Centre. This was transplanted into a patient on Jan 24. Her corneas have been stored at the hospital’s eye bank.”
Dr Shailaja Mane, head of the paediatrics department, counselled the newborn’s guardians, providing paediatric support and guidance on feeding practices. She said the baby, 29kg at birth, was stable, healthy and recovering well at home.
Dr Bhagyashree Patil, pro-chancellor at Dr D Y Patil Vidyapeeth, said, “This remarkable display of generosity and courage in the face of tragedy is a testament to the human spirit. We honour the memory of the young mother who has given new life to others.”
