In this case, 26-years-old Nazia’s husband, Mohammad Shamim, had been on dialysis for the last two years and was in dire need for a kidney transplant. His agriculture business had suffered due to his prolonged illness. But Nazia’s couldn’t help her husband, as her kidney did not match his blood group. After struggling to find a compatible donor in their hometown, Kanpur, the couple came to Max Hospital in Saket.

The other patient, Ramesh, is a resident of Gorakhpur and had been on dialysis since February last year. He had the same problem as Shamim — his wife Vimala’s kidney didn’t match his. Routine activities had become difficult for him, and the hunt for a suitable kidney donor finally brought this couple to Max Hospital too.

At Max Hospital’s Institute of Renal Sciences, Vimala learnt about Nazia’s case and also that Nazia’s kidney was a match for her husband. On the other hand, 40-year-old Vimala’s blood group and other vitals matched with Shamim.

On April 9, after an eight-hour long surgery, Ramesh and Shamim were successfully implanted the kidney’s of each other’s wives.

“It never occurred to me that I was donating to a Hindu or a Muslim. For me, Ramesh bhai is a human being, above all. For me, my husband’s life was of prime importance. Vimala is next to Allah for me,” Nazia said.

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Vimla said, “My husband owes his life to Nazia and she and her family will always be close to us. I am happy and proud that I could help save her husband’s life.”

Dr Dinesh Khullar, Director & Head of Department Nephrology & Kidney Transplant Medicine at Max Hospital, Saket, said, “In a year, approximately two lakh new patients need kidney transplantation in India but only 5,000 can actually manage it… paired kidney donation is an effective way of expanding the donor pool…”

Dr Anant Kumar, director of Urology at the hospital, said, “In India myths are attached to organ donation and people seldom donate their organs voluntarily. We are proud of Nazia and Vimala who broke all myths.”

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