HT: Brain-dead man's family donates kidneys and eyes: Feb 18, 2008

In death, gift of better life to four
 Brain-dead man's family donates kidneys and eyes, inspires one recipient's
wife to pledge organs too My brother is alive in others. At least those who
are younger should get a chance to lead a normal life. I want all my organs
to be donated when I die. GOVIND KONDA, brother of Venkatesh I am so
grateful to the family who donated the kidneys. It's only when it touches
the life of someone close to you that you realise the importance of
donation. I have decided to pledge my organs. PREETI PATEL, recipient's wife
 Neha Bhayana
Mumbai

BRAIN HAEMORRHAGE led to 42-yearold Bhiwandi resident Venkatesh Konda's
untimely death at the Bombay Hospital last week. His family, though still
reeling from the shock, volunteered to donate his kidneys and eyes.
The gesture forever transformed the lives of four people. Two of them will
be liberated from dialysis machines and lead longer, healthier lives. Two
will be able to see the world through Konda's eyes.
Touched by the power of Konda's gift, his brother Govind (35) and the wife
of one of the kidney recipients also decided to pledge their organs.
"I am so grateful to the family who donated the kidneys," said Preeti Patel,
whose husband Ramesh (46) underwent a transplant operation to receive one of
Konda's kidneys. "It's only when it touches the life of someone close to you
that you realise the importance of donation. I have decided to pledge my
organs."
The Chembur-resident Patels had been waiting for a cadaver kidney, which is
one obtained from the body of a brain-dead person, since 2001, when Ramesh's
kidneys failed. All these years, the administrator in an import firm had to
take a half-day's leave, three days a week, for the painful dialysis
procedure.
The family's wait ended on Thursday with a phone call from the Bombay
Hospital.
Like Ramesh, Vinay Kamath (30) can now lead a normal life with Konda's other
kidney. The Mira Road resident will also be able to pursue his offset
printing career, abandoned after kidney failure three years ago.
For Govind and wife Devi, the knowledge that their loss had been a gain to
others brought a sense of contentment.
"My brother is alive in others," said Govind, who is now looking after
Konda's three schoolgoing children.
There is a huge demand for kidneys, at least 30,000 every year according to
a national estimate, and an increase in voluntary donations can check
illegal buying and selling of kidneys of living people by unscrupulous
doctors.
But Konda's story is extremely rare, what with the trauma of losing a dear
one and religious beliefs.
Govind realised the importance of kidney transplant as his father had died
of kidney failure, too old for a transplant at 70.
"At least those who are younger should get a chance to lead a normal life. I
want all my organs to be donated when I die," he said. "Caste and religion
don't give people food. If a man lives because of the organ he receives, he
will work and look after his family." (Names of organ recipients have been
changed to protect their identity) neha.bhayana@hindustantimes.com
'HOSPITALS SHOULD DO MORE' Vatsala Trivedi, secretary of the Zonal
Transplant Co-ordination Committee says hospitals should also try harder to
increase organ donations. "If hospitals also put in more effort and counsel
relatives to donate organs, we could easily meet the demand for organs,"
said Trivedi.
HEALTH STORY 'WAIVE DONORS' HOSPITAL BILLS' Bombay Hospital neurosurgeon Dr
Nirmal Surya, who along with nephrologist Dr Shrirang Bichu and urologist Dr
Umesh Oza was involved in deceased organ donor Venkatesh Konda's case,
suggests the government should make arrangements to pay the hospital bills
for families who donate organs of a deceased patient. "This would an
incentive, especially for poor families, who have lost a loved one and are
financially burdened by the hefty hospital costs," said Dr Surya.

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