Three cadaver donations in a day offer hope as thousands await transplants in Mumbai

One of the donors was 48-year-old Sachin Pujara, who had been dealing with high blood pressure for several years. On February 2, he was admitted to Hira Mongi Navneet Hospital after feeling severe dizziness and losing balance. Doctors found internal bleeding linked to his condition and said he was responding well to treatment and was close to discharge.

However, on February 6, he collapsed suddenly. Despite attempts at cardiopulmonary resuscitation, he did not respond and was placed on a ventilator. By February 7, the organ donation process began, following a decision he had taken years earlier. His liver, kidneys, corneas and skin were donated.

His wife Bhagyashree, sister Bhavana and children Tisha, 23, and Hridaya, 19, supported the decision.

“It was not easy for us, but we understood it was for a larger cause,” Bhagyashree told The Indian Express. “My children and his elder sister were also supportive, and I realised it was something that could give life to others.”

“Yesterday all the hospital staff saluted him when we got his body for the funeral. I feel it is a pride for us, he is still around us, alive. Though I don’t know who received his organs, I will always know he is with us in spirit.”
Dr Bharat Shah, general secretary of ZTCC Mumbai, said organ donation numbers are slowly improving. “In just two months, we already had 10 donors, and in one day we saw three donations. Social stigma and superstitions will still take time to go away, but it is encouraging to see smaller hospitals participating in donations,” he said.

He said Mumbai has 44 registered transplant centres along with several hospitals that retrieve organs. “We need all organs. The problem is for heart, lung and liver. if patients don’t get these, they won’t survive. Transplant is the only hope,” he said.