Successful Heart Transplant Gives Teenager a New Lease on Life
13-year-old gets new heart in Kochi miracle.
13-year-old girl from Eroor in Kollam underwent a successful heart transplant at Lisie Hospital in Kochi on Saturday, giving her a new lease on life. The heart, donated by 18-year-old Biljith, an engineering student from Mallussery in Nedumbassery who was tragically declared brain dead after a road accident, was rushed to Kochi in a high-stakes operation that showcased extraordinary coordination and medical expertise.
The teenager, who had been battling a severe cardiac condition requiring an urgent transplant, was transported from Kollam to Kochi on the Vande Bharat Express train on Friday evening after her family received news of the available heart. Biljith’s family, in a selfless act, consented to donate his organs—including his heart, kidneys, liver, and corneas—following his declaration of brain death at Little Flower Hospital in Angamaly.
The complex operation began with the retrieval of Biljith’s heart at midnight on Friday. By 1 am, the organ was transported to Lisie Hospital in just 20 minutes, thanks to swift traffic management by the police. The transplant surgery, led by renowned cardiac surgeon Dr. Jose Chacko Periyappuram, commenced at 1:25 am. By 3:30 am, the new heart began beating in the girl’s chest, and the procedure was completed by 6:30 am. “The surgery was successful, but the next 48 hours are critical for the patient’s recovery,” Dr. Periyappuram cautioned.
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This life-saving procedure follows another heart transplant in Kochi on Thursday, where a heart donated by a Kollam native was airlifted from Thiruvananthapuram. The back-to-back transplants highlight Kochi’s growing reputation as a hub for advanced cardiac care. The hospital staff and authorities praised the donor’s family for their generosity, which has given hope to the young recipient and her family.
As the girl embarks on her recovery, the medical team remains vigilant, monitoring her condition closely. The successful surgery underscores the power of organ donation and the tireless efforts of healthcare professionals in transforming lives against all odds.
