59-year-old's kidney donation saves senior citizen

Raipur | Correspondent: A 59-year-old Raipur resident gave a new lease of life to a 67-year-old man after his family consented to donate his kidney following his declaration as brain dead. The donation marked Chhattisgarh's 15th organ donation this year and took place during Organ Donation Month.

Ashwin Kumar Rathore, a resident of Devendra Nagar, was admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Raipur, on Sunday night after his health suddenly deteriorated. Doctors found that he had suffered severe brain bleeding caused by extremely high blood pressure. Despite intensive treatment, he was declared brain dead.

In the midst of their grief, Rathore's family agreed to donate his organs on Wednesday evening. His kidney was successfully transplanted into a 67-year-old patient, offering the recipient a renewed chance at life.

Rathore, who was involved in the craft business, was known among family and friends for his helpful nature. His son said he always went out of his way to assist elderly people in need, and even after his death, his decision to donate an organ reflected his lifelong commitment to helping others.

The transplant was carried out by specialist teams at AIIMS Raipur. The procedure involved doctors from the departments of Urology, Nephrology, and Anaesthesia, along with transplant coordinators. Officials from the State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (SOTTO), Chhattisgarh, also coordinated the donation and transplantation process.

Health officials said the case highlights the importance of organ donation and is expected to encourage more people to pledge their organs, giving hope to patients waiting for life-saving transplants.