Deralakatte: Justice K.S. Hegde Hospital marked a historic milestone in Karnataka with the first-ever cadaveric bone donation, offering renewed hope to children battling cancer.
Eshwara N, a 32-year-old from Jamboor village, Somwarpet, succumbed to severe head injuries sustained in a road traffic accident. Despite the tragic loss, his sister displayed extraordinary humanity by volunteering to donate his organs, including his bones, for transplantation. The donation was facilitated by the hospital’s transplant team, led by Ms. Akshatha Shetty, Transplant Coordinator, and supported by neurosurgeons.
Compassionate act with lasting impact
The surgical team, under Dr. Vikram Shetty, Professor and Head of Orthopaedics, successfully extracted and preserved the cadaveric bones in sterile conditions, replacing them with plastic bone substitutes. The extracted bones were handed over to the Prof. M. Shantharam Shetty Tissue Bank, where they will be used in limb-saving surgeries, potentially saving the limbs of six young cancer patients.
Dr. Varun Shetty, Medical Director of the Tissue Bank, emphasized, “This donation could profoundly impact the lives of children who otherwise might face amputations, offering them a chance for a better future.”
Raising awareness on tissue donation
This first-of-its-kind initiative in Karnataka highlights the importance of organ and tissue donation. Dr. Sumalatha Shetty, Medical Superintendent, expressed her gratitude towards Eshwara’s family for their selfless decision and praised the hospital team for their dedication in making this landmark donation possible.
Justice K.S. Hegde Hospital’s pioneering achievement sets a precedent for increased awareness and participation in organ and tissue donation, showcasing the immense potential to save lives and improve quality of life through such altruistic acts.