CHANDIGARH: 4 May: “Amid tragic demise of one’s own family member, thinking beyond to save some strangers’ lives is unexpected and unimaginable. But the family of Happy Singh had this exemplary courage to do something for the society even when their own world crashed. We feel deeply indebted to them.”
This was stated by Prof. Jagat Ram, Director PGIMER while paying rich tributes to the bereaved family of Happy Singh from Noorpur, Ropar, Punjab who gave the greatest gift anyone can give, a second chance at life for two terminally ill patients and sight for another two through their selfless act of organ donation of their departed son here at PGIMER.
Like any other day, 26 year old Happy Singh was taking a stroll on the roof of his house on 28th April, when accidentally his foot slipped and he fell from the roof, becoming unconscious due to severe head injuries.
Immediately responding to the situation, Happy Singh was rushed to a private hospital in Ropar. However, seeing no improvement in the condition, the family brought him here and he was admitted to PGIMER in an extremely critical condition on the same day.
Dr Apinder Preet Singh from Neurosurgery Department stated, “It was a difficult hour. Though we tried our level best to save Happy Singh under the close supervision of Prof. S.K.Gupta, Head, Deptt. of Neurosurgery, but his condition kept worsening. Given the extent of head injury, chances of Happy Singh’s survival seemed extremely bleak and we apprised the family about the prognosis. We also advised the transplant coordinators to discuss the option of organ donation with them in case of any eventuality.”
Happy Singh’s struggle between life and death came to a halt finally and he was declared brain dead on 1st May, here at PGIMER.
Showcasing exemplary courage and magnanimity, the family of Happy Singh did not let his tragic death go in vain and agreed for organ donation when the transplant coordinators raised the matter with them.
While signing the consent form, Gurmeet Singh, the bereaved father expressed his sentiments, “Even the very thought of losing a child is killing and we have actually lost our son. It’s unthinkable to imagine our remorse. Since Happy Singh is no more, it is futile to burn his body along with organs which can be life saving for someone else. Even the entire family would like to pledge our organs as a homage to the departed soul”
“Following the family’s decision, everyone swung into action here at Nephrology Department. We called six prospective recipients. They were assessed clinically, provided dialysis as per requirement, COVID testing done and necessary investigations were sent to concerned departments,” stated Prof. H.S.Kohli, Head, Deptt. of Nephrology, PGIMER.
While detailing about the challenges of undertaking a transplant amid COVID-19, Prof. Ashish Sharma, Head, Deptt. of Renal Transplant Surgery, PGIMER stated, “As the pandemic has been going on now for more than one year, considerable experience has been obtained to prevent these patients from getting COVID infection. That always is a concern while doing a transplant from deceased donors during these times. As these patients have been hospitalized in emergency areas there is always a risk of catching Covid infection.”
Prof. Vipin Koushal, Addl. Medical Superintendent cum Nodal Officer, ROTTO (North) while acknowledging the shared, “The donation was made possible by excellent cooperation between different teams involved in the whole operation. Being in the thick of pandemic where all elective surgery has been put on hold, it was a difficult decision to proceed with transplantation but the motivation of family made us go ahead.”
The kidneys and corneas retrieved from deceased Happy Singh, enabled second lease of life to two patients battling for survival and gave sight to another two corneal blind patients, thereby impacting four lives in all.
