Brain-dead Man Breathes New Life Into 4 Patients

Nagaraju, a 36-year-old resident of Gauribidanur, Chikkaballapura District, has given a new lease of life to 4 patients. 

A house painter by profession, Nagaraju met with a road accident in Gauribidanur on the 16th of December and sustained severe head injuries. He was initially treated at a local hospital, but due to the severity of his condition, he was brought to Sparsh Hospital in Yeshwanthpur for further care the same evening. Nagaraju was on life support for two days and was declared brain dead in the early hours of 19th December. 

His liver was transplanted to a patient at Sparsh Hospital, Yeshwanthpur, his left kidney was sent to Sagar Hospital, and right kidney to Apollo Hospital, and his corneas were sent to Dr Rajkumar Eye Bank, Narayana Nethralaya. 

As per organ donation protocols, officials from SOTTO (State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization), the government body which oversees cadaver organ donation in the State of Karnataka, initiated the process for organ donation and took written consent from family members.  The recipients were selected as per the waiting list and the organs were harvested. 

The family members were inspired to take up the noble cause of organ donation after learning about Puneeth Rajkumar's gesture of eye donation. This motivated them to follow in his footsteps and make the decision to donate Nagaraju’s organs. Additionally, the family felt that since Nagaraju was young, his healthy organs could give a new lease of life to those in need. 

Joseph Pasangha, Group COO, SPARSH Hospital, said, “ Organ donation is a selfless and noble act that can change the life of recipients and their families. We are grateful to Nagaraju’s family members for their decision to donate their loved one's organs. Their act of kindness stands as an example to highlight the positive impact that organ transplant can have on the lives of patients and their families.”