Salem: Organs harvested from a ‘brain-dead’ man in Salem were transported to Chennai and Coimbatore in the shortest possible time on Thursday.
Particularly noteworthy was his kidney taken to a private hospital near Salem within nine minutes covering 23-km, hospital sources said.
Senthilkumar, 48, of Athur near Salem was being treated at a hospital there for cerebral bleeding. He was admitted to Manipal hospital here where he was declared ‘brain dead’. His family members came forward to donate his organs.
On Thursday, these were harvested and sent to the registered recipients in Chennai and Coimbatore. Radhamani, 56, hailing from Ayothiyapattinam being treated at VIMS hospital near Salem for kidney failure, received Senthilkumar’s kidney. The kidney has to reach the recipient within 15 minutes on harvesting, but in a feat of sorts, it was transported in nine minutes.
The VIMS Hospital medical director, K Meenakshisundaram said, “the ambulance with kidney left Manipal hospital at 11.30 am and reached the spot at 11.39, travelling 23-km. The transplant surgery was completed successfully and the patient is in good health.”
Based on the hospital’s request, the Salem city police commissioner ordered a green corridor for the entire 23-km stretch to enable the harvested organ reach VIMS hospital.
