176-year-old Wenlock Hospital in Mangaluru conducts first organ harvesting

MANGALURU: The 176-year-old govt Wenlock Hospital in the city successfully conducted its first organ harvesting procedure from a 41-year-old woman, who was declared brain dead following a brain haemorrhage.
Rekha P, hailing from Shanthi Nagara in Ragigudde of Shivamogga, was brought to Mangaluru on Jan 6 night after she suffered a brain haemorrhage. On Friday, a team of doctors harvested the liver and corneas after she was declared brain dead.
District Surgeon and Superintendent of the Hospital, Dr D S Shivaprakash, said that the organs will give a lease of life to others. “Rekha suffered a brain haemorrhage after she fell while she was engaged in drawing rangoli in front of her house.
Rekha was rushed to a private hospital in Shivamogga, but since her condition worsened, she was referred to the Wenlock Hospital. Though she underwent treatments in our hospital for two days, her condition deteriorated despite exhaustive medical intervention and showed no signs of recovery,” Dr Shivaprakash said.
A panel of expert doctors declared Rekha brain dead as per the Transplantation of Human Organ Act 1994. Meanwhile, the transplant coordinator of Jeevansarthakathe - State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (SOTTO) and the doctors of Wenlock Hospital convinced the family members of Rekha to retrieve organs for donation, and Rekha’s brothers agreed to the same, he said.
A team of doctors from Apollo BGS Hospitals, Mysuru, arrived at the Wenlock Hospital. While the liver was sent to Apollo BGS Hospitals, the corneas were sent to the KMC Hospital in Mangaluru for transplantation, Dr Shivaprakash said.
“This entire process that took place in our hospital has sent a positive message to society. I extend my gratitude to the family of Rekha, who took a compassionate decision to donate the organs,” he added.
Rekha’s brother Sheshadri, who works as a carpenter, shared, "My sister's condition deteriorated by the time we reached Wenlock Hospital.
There was no hope. But we are satisfied that her organs will help others to lead a life. After receiving guidance from doctors regarding organ donation, we realised that without this choice, we would have simply buried her remains. Through this noble act of organ donation, her memory will endure forever.”
Following her husband's death two years ago, Rekha, who had no children, moved in with her parents and siblings, residing in their family home.