At 20 months, India’s youngest organ donor saves 5 lives in her death

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 14

A 20-month-old baby has become the youngest cadaver donor of India, saving five lives in her death.

The infant, Dhanishtha, is from New Delhi’s Rohini. She died from a balcony fall at home and was brought to Sir Ganga Ram Hospital on January 8 in an unconscious state.

She could not be revived but her family’s decision to donate all her functional organs has now saved the lives of five patients awaiting organs. The child’s heart, liver, and both kidneys and corneas were retrieved successfully at the hospital and used in five patients.

Dhanishtha fell from the first floor of the balcony of her home while playing. She was declared brain dead on January 11.

All her other organs were in excellent condition.

Inspite of the irreparable loss, her parents, Ashish Kumar and Babita, decided to donate Dhanishtha’s organs to inspire others to come forward and save lives.

Ashish Kumar said: “During our stay at the hospital, we met many patients who were in dire need of organs. Though we lost our child, our daughter will continue to live, and in the process, improve the quality of life of the needy patients.”

DS Rana, chairman, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, said: “This noble act by the family is really praiseworthy and should motivate others. At 0.26 per million, India has the lowest rate of organ donation. On an average, five lakh Indians die every year due to lack of organs.”