Mangaluru: Father Muller Medical College Hospital witnessed a remarkable act of generosity as a successful multi-organ donation was carried out following the brain death of Mr Dayakar Kotian (65), believed to be the eldest organ donor from Dakshina Kannada district.
A gratitude ceremony was held at the Director’s Secretariat of Father Muller Charitable Institutions, where Director Rev. Fr Faustine Lucas Lobo honoured the donor’s family for their extraordinary decision during a moment of profound personal loss.
Tragic accident and critical treatment
Mr Kotian, originally from Bajpe in Mangaluru and residing in Kolar, sustained severe injuries in a road traffic accident on February 22, 2026, at Malur in Kolar district. He was later shifted to Father Muller Medical College Hospital for advanced neurosurgical and critical care management.
He was treated under the supervision of Dr C. K. Ballal, Senior Consultant Neurosurgeon, along with the hospital’s critical care and intensive care teams.
Despite comprehensive medical efforts, Mr Kotian was declared brain dead after mandatory clinical examinations and apnea tests conducted according to established medical and legal protocols. The brain death certification was completed by the duly constituted Brain Death Committee.
Family consents to organ donation
Following the declaration of brain death, the hospital’s transplant coordination team counselled the family about the possibility of organ donation. Demonstrating remarkable courage and compassion, the donor’s wife Mrs Surekha, his brother Mr Keshav Poojary and other family members gave full consent for organ donation.
The State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (SOTTO – Jeevasarthakathe) was informed, and organ allocation was carried out in accordance with state guidelines.
After completing medico-legal formalities under the jurisdiction of the East Traffic Police Station, Kadri, organ retrieval procedures commenced at 2.00 PM on March 1.
Organs give new life to recipients
The donated organs were allocated to multiple medical institutions. The left kidney was allocated to Kasturba Hospital, while the right kidney was allocated to NU Hospital.
Skin and corneas were harvested at Father Muller Medical College Hospital itself to support future transplant and treatment needs.
Following the completion of all procedures, a post-mortem examination was conducted by the Department of Forensic Medicine as required by law. The mortal remains were respectfully handed over to the family at 6.00 PM on the same day.
Hospital honours the donor’s family
During the gratitude ceremony held on March 3, Rev. Fr Faustine Lucas Lobo honoured Mrs Surekha and the donor’s family, acknowledging their noble act which has provided renewed hope and life to multiple recipients.
On behalf of the family, Mr Keshav Poojary expressed gratitude to the hospital staff for their compassionate care and support during the difficult time. He highlighted the courage of Mrs Surekha for consenting to organ donation despite the grief of losing her husband and expressed hope that Mr Kotian’s legacy would continue through the lives saved by his donated organs.
Rev. Fr George Jeevan Sequeira, Administrator of Father Muller Medical College, and Dr Uday Kumar, Medical Superintendent of the hospital, were also present during the ceremony.
Promoting awareness on organ donation
Father Muller Medical College Hospital reiterated its commitment to promoting awareness about organ donation and encouraged the public to consider pledging organs to save lives.
The noble gesture by Mr Dayakar Kotian’s family stands as a powerful reminder that even in the midst of tragedy, compassion and generosity can give others a second chance at life.