Two Green Corridors Ensure Timely Transport of Donor Heart for Life-Saving Transplant

A donor heart was swiftly transported from Nagpur to Delhi, covering 1,067 kilometers in 3 hours and 4 minutes. This rapid transfer gave a 59-year-old woman a new chance at life. The heart transplant took place at Fortis Escorts Heart Institute, Okhla Road. The journey involved air and road travel, facilitated by two green corridors.

The heart was harvested from a 43-year-old male donor who had succumbed to a brain stroke. The process began at Kingsway Hospital in Nagpur at 12:53 am. Timing is crucial in such cases, as the heart must be transplanted within six hours of removal from the donor.

Heart's Journey and Timely Arrival

At 1:12 am, the heart was flown to Delhi via air ambulance. It landed at Indira Gandhi International Airport by 3:19 am. Upon arrival, the Delhi Traffic Police created a second green corridor. This allowed the heart to reach Fortis Escorts Heart Institute in just 27 minutes, arriving at 3:57 am.

The recipient had been suffering from dilated cardiomyopathy for over ten years. Despite having a pacemaker, her condition worsened, making a transplant her only hope. The successful surgery has given her a new lease on life.

Medical Collaboration and Patient Recovery

Dr. Ritwick Raj Bhuyan led the surgical team at Fortis Escorts Heart Institute. He stated that the patient is recovering well post-transplant. Her body has accepted the new heart without any signs of infection or allergy, and she is now able to sit up.

This life-saving operation was made possible through collaboration between medical teams and authorities. The National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO) allocated the heart for transplant. Local authorities helped ensure its seamless journey through two green corridors.

"This intervention was possible due to the generosity of the donor's family," said Dr. Bhuyan. Their decision provided the patient with a second chance at life, highlighting the importance of organ donation.