The parents of a 21-month-old boy became inspiring figures for over a billion Indians by donating the organs of their son who was declared brain dead.
· The parents of the baby boy, Gouri Shankar Panigrahi and Sharmistha Panigrahi voluntarily expressed their desire to donate organs.
· A team of doctors from the AIIMS, Bhubaneswar harvested the liver which was flown to the Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS), New Delhi for a baby.
· The kidneys were taken to a city-based hospital for another patient transplant.
· Medical Superintendent of the hospital said this was the first time in Odisha that, the organs of such a small baby had been harvested to help save lives elsewhere.
· This was the third time since 2022 that organs from brain-dead patients in the IMS and SUM Hospital have been harvested and taken to other hospitals for transplantation.
In an extraordinary display of compassion and selflessness, the parents of a 21-month-old boy named Pratyush, who tragically succumbed to septic shock and was declared brain dead at the Institute of Medical Sciences and SUM Hospital in Bhubaneswar, made a courageous decision that would forever change the lives of others. Gouri Shankar Panigrahi and Sharmistha Panigrahi, faced with unimaginable loss, found solace in the possibility of offering hope and a new lease on life to those in need through the gift of organ donation.
Pratyush’s journey began in July 2022 when he entered the world, bringing immeasurable joy to his parents. However, his young life was marked by health challenges, and he battled various ailments since birth. Despite their best efforts, Pratyush’s health deteriorated, and he was admitted to the hospital about a fortnight ago after being diagnosed with meningitis.
The devastating news of Pratyush’s brain death shattered his family, but amidst their grief, they found the strength to make a profound decision – to donate his organs. This act of generosity, borne out of love and compassion, would transcend their personal tragedy and bring hope to others in desperate need of life-saving treatments.
At the parents’ request, the hospital authorities swiftly initiated the process of organ donation, reaching out to the State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (SOTTO) and the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO) to facilitate the donation procedure. The collaborative efforts of medical professionals and administrative authorities ensured that Pratyush’s legacy would be one of hope, healing, and generosity.
A dedicated team of doctors from AIIMS, Bhubaneswar, meticulously harvested Pratyush’s liver, a precious gift that would be flown to the Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS), New Delhi, where it would provide a lifeline to an infant awaiting transplantation. The logistics of transportation were carefully coordinated, with the police orchestrating a green corridor to expedite the journey and maximize the chances of success.
Simultaneously, Pratyush’s kidneys were allocated to a local hospital, extending the impact of his altruism within the community. Prof. (Dr.) Rachita Sarangi, acting Medical Superintendent of the hospital, lauded this historic donation, highlighting its significance as the first instance in Odisha where organs from such a young donor were utilized to save lives elsewhere.
As Pratyush’s parents grappled with their loss, they found solace in the knowledge that their beloved son’s legacy would endure through the lives he would touch. Their act of kindness and generosity, amidst profound sorrow, serves as a powerful reminder of the transformative power of compassion and the enduring legacy of love.
In a world often marred by tragedy and despair, Pratyush’s story stands as a beacon of hope, inspiring millions with the boundless potential for kindness and the ability to create positive change, even in the darkest of times.
(With inputs from agencies)
