76-yr-old donates kidney to daughter

Though 76, Prabhaben Doshi donated a kidney to her daughter at Sir Hurkisondas Nurottamdas Hospital near Charni Road on March 31, reports Raghav Rao.

Though 76, Prabhaben Doshi donated a kidney to her daughter at Sir Hurkisondas Nurottamdas Hospital near Charni Road on March 31.

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Despite her advanced age, she cleared medical tests and made it through the surgery without any complications. Doctors at the hospital said very few people at her age have donated their organs.

“I had never carried out a transplant with a donor who was so old before. The oldest person I had ever operated on was a 71-year-old man who donated his kidney to his son. However, everything went well and both patients are stable,” said Dr A.P. Doshi, the nephrologist who carried out the transplant.

Two months ago, when she learnt that her daughter Chhaya Koradia (45) suffered a kidney failure and needed a transplant, Prabhaben was the first person to offer her kidney.

For Prabhaben, her daughter’s health was the primary concern. “When I found Chhaya needed a kidney, the first thing that went through my mind was whether mine would be of any use to her. I had no fear of the operation or any problems that may have resulted because of my age. When a child is ill, the mother’s only concern is for the child to get better,” said the Dombivli resident.

Koradia was diagnosed with kidney failure six months ago and had registered with the Zonal Transplant Coordinaton Centre for a cadaver transplant. Her husband Ketan (45) could not donate his kidney since his blood group (A positive) differed from hers (O positive).

“Chhaya’s condition was getting worse every day. She couldn’t retain any food and constantly complained of pain and weakness. Therefore, we decided to go in for a pre-emptive transplant before her body started breaking down,” said Dr Doshi.

Dr Bharat Shah, nephrologist and trustee of Narmada Kidney Foundation in Malad said such cases were not unheard of. “I have carried out a transplant on a 75-year-old in 1998 and I have also come across a case where a kidney was taken from an 80-year-old donor.

There is no upper limit to the age at which a person can donate their organ. However, it is quite rare that people at this age are fit enough for an organ donation,” said Shah.