New Delhi: In an extremely well-coordinated operation, the Indian Air Force (IAF) facilitated a complex multi-organ retrieval and transplant operation involving multiple medical centres across India.
Five persons across the country benefited from organs donated by the family of a patient who was declared brain-dead. The organs were retrieved and successfully transplanted in a swift and well-coordinated effort, led by the Command Hospital Air Force Bangalore (CHAFB), with support from various partner institutions.
The IAF Media Coordination Centre (@IAF_MCC) posted on X that one kidney and a cornea were airlifted from Bengaluru to the Army Hospital (Research and Referral), New Delhi, aboard an IAF aircraft. The transportation was completed under strict time-sensitive protocols to ensure organ viability.
In Bengaluru, the other kidney and cornea were successfully transplanted at CHAFB in collaboration with a specialised medical team from Victoria Hospital. This operation also included the hospital’s first-ever successful skin harvesting procedure. In addition, the liver was transplanted at Gleneagles BGS Hospital, Bengaluru.
“The entire multi-location operation was carried out in partnership with Jeevansarthakathe, the Government of Karnataka’s organ donation and transplant coordination authority. The initiative reflects the high level of coordination between the Armed Forces Medical Services, state medical institutions, and transplant organisations,” an official said.
“The donor patient, who was declared brain dead, became the source of new life for five individuals,” the official IAF post stated.