Bhubaneswar, March 3: In a heartwarming yet poignant act of generosity, 16-month-old Janmesh Lenka has become Odisha’s youngest organ donor, offering new hope to two critically ill patients. The courageous decision made by his grieving parents has turned their personal tragedy into a life-saving gift for others.
In their time of immense grief, Janmesh's parents were approached by the hospital’s medical team about the possibility of organ donation. Displaying extraordinary strength, they consented, allowing their child's organs to be used for life-saving transplants.
Dr. Ashutosh Biswas, Executive Director of AIIMS Bhubaneswar, commended the transplant coordination team and the medical professionals for their relentless efforts in ensuring the successful execution of the procedures.
"The story of Master Janmesh Lenka and his parents' decision serves as a powerful reminder of the impact of organ donation, especially in paediatric cases. Their noble act has not only saved lives but has also set a precedent for raising awareness about paediatric organ donation in India," said Dr. Biswas.
"I will not get my son back. But some others' mothers will become happy after my son’s organs are transplanted into their children," she said.
His legacy now serves as an inspiration, shedding light on the importance of paediatric organ donation and the profound impact it can have on saving lives.
A Tragic Turn Leading to a Noble Act
Janmesh was admitted to the paediatric department of AIIMS Bhubaneswar on February 12 after accidentally inhaling a foreign object, which led to a severe airway blockage and breathing difficulties. Despite immediate medical intervention, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and intensive care efforts over the next two weeks, doctors declared him brain dead on March 1.In their time of immense grief, Janmesh's parents were approached by the hospital’s medical team about the possibility of organ donation. Displaying extraordinary strength, they consented, allowing their child's organs to be used for life-saving transplants.
Successful Multi-Organ Transplantation
Following their consent, a multidisciplinary team of surgeons and transplant coordinators swiftly facilitated the organ retrieval and transplantation process:- Liver Donation: Janmesh’s liver was successfully retrieved by the gastro-surgery team led by Dr. Brahmadutt Patnaik and transported to the Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS) in New Delhi, where it was transplanted into a child suffering from end-stage liver failure.
- Kidney Transplantation: His kidneys were transplanted en-bloc into a single adolescent patient at AIIMS Bhubaneswar, under the leadership of Dr. Prasant Nayak from the urology department. This was only the second instance of en-bloc kidney transplantation in Odisha—a rare and complex surgical technique where both kidneys from a paediatric donor are transplanted into a single recipient.
AIIMS Bhubaneswar Hails the Landmark Contribution
AIIMS Bhubaneswar, in an official statement, hailed Janmesh’s organ donation as a “landmark achievement”, emphasizing the significance of paediatric organ donation in saving lives.Dr. Ashutosh Biswas, Executive Director of AIIMS Bhubaneswar, commended the transplant coordination team and the medical professionals for their relentless efforts in ensuring the successful execution of the procedures.
"The story of Master Janmesh Lenka and his parents' decision serves as a powerful reminder of the impact of organ donation, especially in paediatric cases. Their noble act has not only saved lives but has also set a precedent for raising awareness about paediatric organ donation in India," said Dr. Biswas.
A Mother’s Selfless Words
Janmesh's father works as a hostel warden at AIIMS Bhubaneswar. His mother, grappling with the immense loss, found solace in the lives her son has saved."I will not get my son back. But some others' mothers will become happy after my son’s organs are transplanted into their children," she said.
A Final Tribute
Honoring his contribution, Odisha’s government accorded a guard of honour before Janmesh’s mortal remains were cremated on Monday.His legacy now serves as an inspiration, shedding light on the importance of paediatric organ donation and the profound impact it can have on saving lives.