Wife donates organs of 'brain-dead' husband in Tiruchirapalli

Tiruchirapalli, Oct 29: The vital organs of a 49-year-old accident victim, who was declared 'brain dead' were donated to needy patients at a city-based corporate hospital.

According to hospital sources, the organs --kidneys and eyes -- were removed from victim Tamizhselvan, after his wife Rani gave a signed undertaking, who was also injured in the road accident.

Tamizhselvan, a grocery shop owner, hailing from village Neithalur met with the accident when he, along with his wife was returning home in a two-wheeler after making purchases for Deepavali.

Both fell on the road, when Tamizhselvan, tried to avoid hitting a stray dog crossing the road at Pallakadu village on October 26.

Tamizhselvan, who received severe head injuries was rushed to a private hospital, while his wife Rani was admitted to another nursing home.

After attempts to resuscitate Tamizhselvan failed, doctors at the hospital declared him 'brain dead.' His relatives, including Dr R Gunasekaran, Managing Director of the nursing home and President (Elect) of Tamil Nadu branch of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) persuaded Rani to give her consent for cadaver donation.

Dr Gunasekaran told the sources that since the victim and his wife were related to him, he was able to convince the relatives on the importance of cadaver donations.

He said as the hospitals here were not equipped for carrying out other transplants, only the kidneys and eyes of one Tamizhselvan were removed by a 15-member surgeons team on Tuesday, Oct 27.

While one of the kidneys was transplanted to Muruganandham (27) of Budalur in Thanjavur district, the other was transplanted to one Muthuselvan (43) of Manaparai, successfully. The eyes were preserved at an eyecare hospital here for transplantation, hospital sources said.

UNI