Brahmapur: Transcending death with a final act of profound compassion, C H Jibaratnam, a 45-year-old resident of Odisha’s Gajapati district, gave the gift of life to others through organ donation.
Jibaratnam, a carpenter by profession, died in a hit-and-run accident near Jangalapadu village. He was walking towards Gangarajapuram village in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh to visit his father-in-law when a vehicle allegedly hit him. The accident occurred amid heavy rain, and no one reportedly witnessed the collision. Jibaratnam was later found lying on the roadside. Gurandi police reached the spot and shifted him to the District Headquarters Hospital at Paralakhemundi. As his condition remained critical, he was later admitted to a private hospital in Srikakulam.
After three days of treatment, doctors declared him dead. Realising that his organs could save other lives, his family took the difficult but noble decision to donate them. His heart, liver, kidneys and other vital organs were retrieved for transplantation, offering hope to patients in need.
The gesture earned appreciation from the Andhra Pradesh government and the hospital authorities, who honoured the family and paid tribute to the deceased donor.
Jibaratnam hailed from a financially disadvantaged family and was the sole earning member. He is survived by his wife, a young son and a daughter. Local social worker Binod Parichha and others have urged the government to extend financial assistance to the bereaved family.
While the family remains shattered by his untimely death, they also take solace and pride in the fact that Jibaratnam continues to live on through the lives touched by his organ donation.