Indian man donates heart to Pakistani girl.
A 19-year-old Pakistani girl, Ayesha, has been given a fresh chance at life thanks to the selfless act of an Indian donor.
Ayesha, originally from India but residing in Karachi, was diagnosed with a severe heart condition in 2019.
Her journey to recovery led her to the city of Chennai in India, where she underwent critical treatment.
Critical Diagnosis and Treatment in Chennai:
Ayesha’s medical condition, characterized by heart leakage, placed her on life support, prompting doctors to recommend a heart transplant.
However, the substantial cost of the procedure, estimated at Rs3.5 million, posed a significant barrier.
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Nonetheless, Ayesha’s determination coupled with the expertise of medical professionals at the Institute of Heart and Lung Transplant in Chennai paved the way for a potential solution.
Fortuitous Heart Donation:
Director of the Institute, K R Bala Krishna, highlighted the complexity of securing a suitable donor, particularly for international patients like Ayesha.
However, luck was on her side when a 69-year-old individual, declared brain dead, generously donated his heart.
The altruistic act not only symbolized the essence of human compassion but also presented Ayesha with a lifeline.
Dr Balakrishnan, while speaking to ANI, said: “In that country (Pakistan), managing patients with artificial heart pumps is not easy because the equipment required to monitor is not there. And they had no money. Half the time she (Ayesha) was not conscious, she had bad infection. We had to do something to help.
“With great difficulty, she got the visa and she came here with little money. We had to take care of all the expenses. […] Eventually, we got a heart donor from Delhi which no one wanted and she underwent a heart transplant a couple months ago. That heart was quiet big for her because it was from a much older donor and her chest had to be kept open for almost 10 days,” the doctor continued.
Ayesha is not the first Pakistan to undergo a heart transplant in India as a 46-year-old man also received a transplant in 2014. “Doctors managed my condition with medication, but they told me a transplant was the only cure,” Amir told The News.
“Through online research, I discovered a heart transplant centre in Chennai, India, where I received a new heart from an anonymous Indian donor in 2014.”
The first Pakistani to travel to Chennai for a heart transplant was Qari Zubair, who was an imam from Gujrat. Sadly, he developed complications and did not survive.
“According to my knowledge, around six Pakistanis have undergone heart transplants in India,” Amir said, preferring to keep personal details private.
“I’m the longest survivor. Four others passed away after their transplants. So, why do Pakistanis need to travel all the way to India for heart transplants? Several transplant and cardiac surgeons cite a lack of expertise, high costs, limited post-operative care, and a shortage of deceased donors as the primary reasons for the absence of a heart transplant programme in Pakistan.”
Ayesha’s Road to Recovery:
Following the successful transplant procedure, Ayesha’s health steadily improved, marking a significant milestone in her battle against the debilitating heart condition.
Reports indicate that she is now deemed fit to return to Pakistan, carrying with her the gift of life from across the border.
Aspirations Beyond Adversity:
As Indian man donates heart to Pakistani girl, Ayesha’s resilience and determination shine through as she sets her sights on a future beyond her medical ordeal.
She aims to pursue a career as a fashion designer, showcasing her unwavering spirit and optimism in the face of adversity.
