The year 2025 has begun with a beacon of hope for organ transplant recipients in Goa. January saw two deceased donors offering life-saving opportunities to liver, heart, lung, and kidney recipients across India, including four kidney recipients within Goa itself.
Today, another family has exhibited remarkable generosity by consenting to organ donation. A tragic road accident claimed the life of a 22-year-old ground staff worker from Kerala, employed at Mopa Airport. Despite receiving top-notch medical care at Goa Medical College, he was declared brain dead.
Certification of brain stem death was conducted by Dr. Sanat Bhatkar, Assistant Professor in the Department of Neurology, GMC, and Dr. Marina Vaz, Assistant Professor of General Medicine, GMC. Goa Medical College’s State Organ & Tissue Transplant Organization (SOTTO) allocated the kidneys to recipients aged 33 and 24 at the same institution. Meanwhile, the liver was allocated by ROTTO West to MGM Hospital, Aurangabad.
“Organ donation epitomizes immense courage and generosity, and I express heartfelt gratitude to the donor family for their decision during this time of grief,” said Prof. Dr. S.M. Bandekar, Dean of Goa Medical College and Hospital.
This marks the eighth organ donation under SOTTO Goa’s auspices, with SOTTO facilitating the allocation of 16 kidneys, as well as facilitating 4 hearts, 7 livers, and 2 lungs through ROTTO West and NOTTO since its inception in 2019.
A Green Corridor, coordinated by SOTTO Goa with assistance from the Goa Traffic Police Cell, ensured the swift transport of the liver from Goa Medical College to Dabolim Airport. Seamless collaboration between the Goa Traffic Police and airport authorities facilitated the timely transportation of the organ.
Dean Goa Medical College has made arrangements for the mortal remains of the organ donor to be transported to his native village in Kerala for final rites.
