The vital organs of a 19-year old brain dead youth from Alapuzha were being transplanted in at least six people in Kerala and Chennai on Tuesday.
The heart and lungs of the youth, Pranav, were carried in a special flight from Kochi to Chennai in the afternoon where doctors of the Fortis Malar Hospital started the transplant surgery. The hospital is yet to divulge details of the recipients.
Earlier the harvested organs were rushed to Kochi airport from the Lake Shore Hospital and it took 25 minutes to cover a distance of 34 kms. Police in both the cities had made elaborate arrangements for the transportation of the organs between the hospitals and the airports since it was vital that the organs reach the recipients in four hours.
“We have requested the traffic police in both states to help ensure smooth passage of organs,” a team member from Chennai hospital said.
Pranav's intestine, cornea and kidney have been donated to patients in Kerala.
Following a bike accident, Pranav was declared brain dead and his parents said that they wanted to donate his organs.