Mumbai heart transplants: Both patients are recovering well, say docs

22-yr-old, who underwent first-ever heart transplant in Mumbai, will be shifted to Fortis Hospital's general ward from ICU; another, who had city's second transplant is expected to come off ventilator within 2 days

A week after the first-ever heart transplant in Mumbai, on August 3, 22-year-old Anwar Khan, a 3D animation designer from Badlapur, will be shifted to the general ward from the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Fortis Hospital in Mulund.

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3D animator, Anwar Khan is recovering at Fortis Hospital, Mulund 

Khan is off the ventilator and is able to talk, and eat without help. He will undergo the immunosuppression, a procedure to reduce the risk of infection or chances of organ rejection post a transplant, within the next two days, before the shift.

Meanwhile, a 29-year-old Vashi resident, who underwent the city's second heart transplant on Friday, is stable and expected to come off the ventilator within two days. Families of both patients are now raising funds for the surgeries that costs approximately Rs 25 lakh each. Jamil Khan, Anwar's father said that his scrap dealing business was not enough to raise the sum. "We have already spent about Rfive lakh on his treatment. I don't know how I will raise the rest."

Also read: It was like my own heart was brought to Mumbai, says surgeon

Meanwhile, hospital authorities are trying to rope in NGOs and charitable trusts to help with the expense. Dr S Narayani, zonal director, Fortis Hospital, Mulund, said, "Since the task was challenging, we went ahead with the surgery anyway. Now, after meeting success, we are figuring financial aid for our patients."

Also read: A heart's 90-min journey from Pune to Mulund

For the second transplant, the organ was recieved from KNK Nair, a 63-year-old donor from Anushakti Nagar, who was admitted to MGM Hospital, Vashi. While his heart and one kidney were donated to Fortis, the second kidney was offered to Mahim's Hinduja Hospital, the liver was given to Global Hospital at Parel and eyes donated to Laxmi Eye Bank.

Dr Anvay Mulay, chief of cardiac surgery, Fortis, said that his team of 15 doctors was ready to undertake another surgery after the first success, but didn't expect it would happen in the same week.

Also read: Second heart transplant at Fortis Hospital also successful

"Organ donation saves lives. A rise in the number of transplants will boost confidence in donors, patients, their families, as well as doctors. Also, people should think of dying healthy, so their organs can save lives."

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