Youth gets ‘new heart’ on eve of World Heart Day

The eve of World Heart Day saw a 23-year-old Pune resident receive a heart transplant at Fortis Hospital in Mulund, after the organ was transported from Pune to Mumbai through the Green corridor.

According to hospital sources, the recipient had been suffering from dilated cardiomyopathy and had been on the wait list since the last two years. The opportunity for the transplant came up when a 25-year-old youth from Mumbai and who was studying in Pune developed acute intra cerebral haemorrhage and was declared as brain dead. His family then agreed to a cadaver donation which resulted in transplant of his eyes, liver, heart and kidneys.

The donor heart was transported from Ruby Hall Clinic in Pune and was first taken to the airport and then flown to Mumbai in a chartered flight. “The donor heart was immediately taken to the operation theatre of the hospital where the transplant was carried out by cardiac surgeon, Dr Anvay Mulay and his team,” the hospital said.

According to Dr Mulay, “The donor’s family deserves highest appreciation for having saved so many lives through their noble gesture. Our young patient is now stable and has been moved to the Intensive Care Unit. Next 48-72 hours will be critical and we will be closely monitoring him.”

In another development, the state government has tied up with the Asian Heart Institute to carry out a ‘heart health’ screening program for policemen in the city. This program was launched by the state Chief Minister Devendra Fadanavis and the first batch of 1000 police personnel underwent a screening program at Naigaon today. Further, cardio pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training was given to 120 policemen at the Asian Heart Institute. Some of the tests that were carried out during the screening program were blood pressure, height, weight and cholesterol.

Fadanvais said, “Asian Heart Institute and Dr Ramakanta Panda have picked up a much needed cause. Prevention is the key, especially because in a city like Mumbai, every day can be a new challenge. I am particularly happy that ‘digital records’ will be created for these police personnel. Asian Heart Institute is making a beginning by screening 5000 of the police force, above the age of 40 years and I invite other hospitals to also come forward and offer such proposals for departments like the Mumbai Police.”

Further, the SRV Hospital in Goregaon has initiated a CPR program for auto rickshaw drivers and many of them received a free medical check up.

According to Dr Abhay Vispute, Medical Director, SRV Hospital, “We feel the auto rickshaw drivers are an integral part of daily commute in overall Mumbai. Rickshaw drivers oversee most medical emergencies. They are the first point contact for the patients. In any scenario, if the auto rickshaw driver is trained how to handle such medical emergencies, they may be a key factor in saving the patient’s life.”

“SRV Hospital is taking the initiative of the wellness of the community and educating the auto rickshaw drivers about CPR and Golden Hour. More than 500 auto drivers who offers their services on road, so it is important to train them with basis emergency care.” adds Dr Vispute.