When a failing heart left no option but transplant, help came from Gujarat minister

Surat, Sep 6 (AHN) A 37-year-old Surat resident has received a new lease of life after undergoing a free heart transplant at Ahmedabad’s U.N. Mehta Heart Hospital, following efforts by state Health Minister Praful Pansheriya and the hospital’s transplant team.

Kishan Pethani, originally from Amreli and now living in Surat, had been suffering from a serious heart condition for nearly two years. His condition deteriorated despite treatment in Mumbai, Ahmedabad and Surat, including the insertion of two stents at a private hospital in Surat.

Doctors eventually advised that a heart transplant was his only option. According to Kishan, his financial condition made the prospect of a transplant particularly difficult.

He approached Pansheriya, explaining his medical condition and financial circumstances, following which the minister recommended his case to U.N. Mehta Hospital.

“My heart was damaged over time, and there was no option other than a heart transplant. When I brought my illness and weak financial condition to the attention of Minister Praful Pansheriya, he recommended me to U.N. Mehta Hospital. Through his efforts, my heart transplant was successfully performed on June 27, and today I am completely healthy,” he said.

The transplant was carried out, under the supervision of Dr Vishal Sharma, by Dr Chirag Doshi and Dr Pratik Manek. Kishan said the treatment had given him what he described as a "new life".

He also recalled an emotional moment during his recovery. His birthday fell on July 3, shortly after the transplant, and doctors and nursing staff at U.N. Mehta Hospital joined him in cutting a cake to mark the occasion.

“It became a memorable moment for me and a lifelong cherished memory,” he said.

After recovering, Kishan met Pansheriya personally to express his gratitude. Speaking about organ donation, Pansheriya said organs donated by a single brain-dead person could potentially save the lives of seven to eight people.

He added that donated tissues, including skin, eye corneas, bones and heart valves, could benefit around another 50 to 75 needy people.

"Government institutions including Ahmedabad Civil Hospital, the Kidney Hospital and Surat Civil Hospital had carried out significant work in organ donation and transplantation, with support from doctors and NGOs working to raise awareness about the process," Pansheriya noted.

He also praised families who agree to donate the organs of deceased relatives despite the grief of losing a loved one. Such decisions, he said, represented a humanitarian act that could give others a chance at life.

“Such collective efforts towards organ donation have given a new lease of life to several needy patients,” Pansheriya said, adding that Kishan had now regained the ability to walk and run as before.

The minister appealed to citizens to come forward and participate in organ donation, particularly in brain-dead cases, so that donated organs and tissues could help more patients awaiting transplants.

Gujarat has continued to focus on organ donation and transplantation as part of its public healthcare system, with government hospitals and transplant centres playing a key role in facilitating treatment for patients who otherwise may not be able to afford such procedures.

Recent discussions on Gujarat’s healthcare system have also highlighted the state's efforts to expand access to transplantation and improve coordination in organ donation.