Biljith Lives On: His Heart to Beat in 13-Year-Old Girl

Kochi: Kerala is witnessing yet another life- saving heart transplant. A 13- year -old girl from Kollam is going to receive the heart of Biljith Biju (18) from Nedumbassery Vattaparamby, Mallussery Palamattam Veetil, who tragically succumbed to brain death following a vehicle accident.

Biljith met with the accident on September 2 while riding his bike on the Nedumbassery- Kariyad National Highway. A lorry lost its brakes and hit him, causing him to lose control and crash into a post. He was rushed to Little Flower Hospital in Angamali, but had already suffered brain death. His relatives later consented to organ donation. Biljith was a first- year student at Kalady Adi Shankara Engineering College.

The child, who had been undergoing treatment for heart disease for the past three years, had returned from a check-up in Thiruvananthapuram on Friday. The hospital called around noon, instructing the family to reach Lissy Hospital before 7 pm for the heart transplant surgery.

Soon, arrangements were made for the family to travel via the Vande Bharat train. Within half an hour from Ayoor, the child, along with her parents and relatives, was transported by ambulance to Kollam railway station. With police and railway officials present, they boarded the train at 5 pm. Minister Mohammed Riyas met the child and family at the station and assured them of full support. She is scheduled to undergo the surgery under the leadership of Dr. Jose Chacko Periyappuram.

Yesterday, Kerala also witnessed another inspiring story of organ donation. Isaac George (33), former DYFI Vadakod Unit president from Bathal Charuvila, Vadavod, Kollam, who tragically suffered brain death in a road accident, gave life to six people through organ donation. Six of Isaac’s vital organs, including his heart, were successfully transplanted. Government officials and the people of Kerala worked together to ensure the organs reached the respective recipients as quickly as possible, giving them a second chance at life.