2018, the year that was: First among firsts, uterus transplant puts Pune on top of the world

As international news of the success of the transplant, in totality, gained traction, Dr Puntambekar claims that at least 600 patients have now been shortlisted for a uterine transplant from across the world and the country

In terms of medical breakthroughs, the first uterus transplant in India is a landmark, not just because a city surgeon accomplished the surgery at a city hospital; but much more because the transplanted uterus performed as good as normal, cue menstruation; and then the transplantee went on to conception, pregnancy and delivery, all perfectly healthily. Pune delivered India its first child born of the first transplanted uterus.

Meenakshi Valand her husband Nitesh with their daughter Radha, born out of a transplanted uterus, with Dr Shailesh Puntambekar at Galaxy Care Hospital. (HT/PHOTO)

It is time to meet the cast of this amazing turn of events. The Pune surgeon, Dr Shailesh Puntambekar, founder of Galaxy Care hospital, fulfilled the dreams of 28-year-old Meenakshi Valand, from Gujarat. Valand suffered from a rare condition where she could not conceive naturally and hence, chose to get a uterus transplant done in Pune. The organ donor? Her 47-year-old mother.

Meenakshi Valand’s first child was conceived in the same uterus that once held Meenakshi.

The baby was named Radha by Dr Puntambekar himself and she was born on October 13. The Valand family recently returned to Gujarat on December 13.

Dr Puntambekar has since been felicitated by the India’s ministry of health.

As international news of the success of the transplant, in totality, gained traction, Dr Puntambekar claims that at least 600 patients have now been shortlisted for a uterine transplant from across the world and the country.