Donor Heart Airlifted from Thiruvananthapuram to Kochi

Thiruvananthapuram: An air ambulance carrying the heart of Shibu, who was declared brain-dead following a road accident, departed from Thiruvananthapuram to Kochi on Sunday. The heart transplant surgery will be carried out at Ernakulam General Hospital. The donor, Shibu (47), was a native of Idavattam Chirakkal in Kollam district. The heart will be received by Durga, a Nepal native.

This marks the first time in India that a heart transplant surgery is being performed at a district hospital. The helicopter is expected to reach Kochi within 45 minutes, after which the surgery will be conducted immediately.

In addition to the heart, Shibu’s two kidneys, liver, two corneas, skin, and heart valves have also been donated for patients in need. One kidney and the pancreas could not be used as they were found unsuitable for transplantation.