Nepal National Durga Kami, the 22-year-old recipient of India's first-ever heart transplant performed at a district-level government hospital, is showing steady and significant progress in her recovery at the General Hospital (GH), Ernakulam. According to hospital sources on January 3, 2026, her condition has stabilized remarkably since the landmark surgery on December 22, 2025. The young woman from Surkhet, who suffered from a rare genetic heart condition called cardiac sarcoidosis (linked to Danon disease), is now well-oriented, with improved hemoglobin levels, no signs of infection, and her donor heart functioning effectively. Earlier concerns about right ventricular dysfunction have resolved, marking a positive turnaround.

Durga underwent the historic procedure after receiving the heart from 46-year-old S. Shibu, a Kollam resident declared brain-dead following a road accident. The organ was harvested at Government Medical College Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram, and airlifted to Ernakulam for the transplant, which made Ernakulam GH the first district hospital in the government sector nationwide to perform such an operation. Initially placed on Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) support—an artificial heart-lung machine to aid recovery—the support has now been reduced to just 30%. She remains under close observation in the ICU, where a dedicated team of doctors continues to monitor her vital signs and overall health closely.

The transplant's success was made possible through extraordinary coordination involving the Kerala High Court (which granted priority status to Durga despite her foreign nationality), the state health department, the Kerala State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (K-SOTTO), and multiple agencies that facilitated rapid organ transport.

Kerala Health Minister Veena George has praised the medical teams and donor family for this milestone, which highlights advancements in Kerala's public healthcare and cross-border compassion. Durga, an orphan who lost her mother and sister to the same condition, had been seeking treatment in India for nearly a year, arriving in Kerala in mid-2025 with her brother Tilak after initial efforts in Nepal and Lucknow.

Also Read: Prisons DGP Conducts Thorough Inspection at Kalaburagi Central Amid Security Allegations

This case underscores the potential of government hospitals to deliver advanced care and the life-saving impact of organ donation. As Durga continues her recovery, hospital authorities express optimism for her full rehabilitation, with ongoing monitoring to ensure long-term stability. The achievement has been hailed as a beacon of hope for patients awaiting transplants across India.

Also Read: J&K Deploys Vets to Tackle Stray Dog Crisis After 2 Lakh Bites Reported