Mohan Kuthar
With inputs from media release
Mangaluru, Sep 16: In a tragic turn of events following a road mishap on Ganesh Chaturthi night, a 21-year-old youth was declared brain dead, prompting his grieving family to make the noble decision to donate his organs.
The victim has been identified as Varshith Kulal, the younger son of Gopal and Vedavathi, residents of Ayere Bettu in Kuthar. He was unmarried and employed in fabrication work.
The accident occurred at around 7:30 pm on Monday. Varshith was riding his bike from Kuthar towards his home when a scooter approaching from Ranipura collided head-on with his vehicle in front of Durga Auto Works near the Koragajja Adikshetra Katte in Kuthar. Due to the severe impact, Varshith was thrown onto the road and sustained critical head injuries.
He was immediately rushed to Yenepoya Hospital in Deralakatte. On September 16, hospital authorities officially declared him brain dead.
After the treating team confirmed brain death, transplant coordinator sensitively counselled the family regarding brain death and the possibility of organ donation. During this extremely difficult time, the family displayed remarkable courage and selflessness by coming forward and giving consent for organ donation, thereby transforming their profound loss into an opportunity to save and improve the lives of others.
The entire organ donation process was coordinated by the Transplant Coordination Team of Yenepoya Medical College Hospital in association with Jeeva Sarthakathe. All necessary medical, legal and logistical arrangements were undertaken to ensure that the organ retrieval process was carried out safely and in accordance with the prescribed protocols.
On September 16, the organ retrieval procedure was successfully conducted at Yenepoya Medical College Hospital. Dedicated retrieval teams from KIMS Hospital, Electronic city, Bengaluru, Manipal Hospitals Bengaluru, Yenepoya Medical College Hospital, participated in the retrieval process.
Through the selfless decision of Varshith’s family, two kidneys, liver and lungs were successfully retrieved for transplantation. The organs were allocated as follows:
• Lungs – KIMS Hospital, Electronic City, Bengaluru
• Liver – Kasturba Medical College Hospital, Manipal-Udupi
• Right kidney – AJ Hospital & Research Centre, Mangaluru
• Left kidney –Yenepoya Medical College Hospital, Deralakatte
The retrieval of the lungs and liver marks a significant milestone for Yenepoya Medical College Hospital, being the first lung and liver retrieval carried out at the institution.
The harvested organs were transported safely to the respective recipient hospitals with the support of a Green Corridor facilitated by the Mangaluru city police commissioner and the entire police team, ensuring timely transportation of the precious organs to their destinations.
As a mark of deep respect and gratitude for Varshith’s selfless gift, a Guard of Honour was organised at Yenepoya Medical College Hospital. The tribute honoured not only the young donor but also his family, whose courage and generosity have allowed his legacy to continue through the lives of others.
Yenepoya Medical College Hospital expresses its deepest appreciation to Varshith’s family for their extraordinary courage and noble decision during a time of immense grief. Their act of generosity stands as a powerful reminder that organ donation can transform tragedy into hope and give others a second chance at life.
Through this selfless act, Varshith’s legacy will live on through the lives he has helped save. A life lost, but a legacy that lives on.