For the first time in history, the Surat Airport was opened at night so that a donated heart could be airlifted to Mumbai to save the life of a drought-stricken farmer’s son, on Tuesday.
In order to aid the operation, Mumbai Airport held back 12 other flights during peak hours, letting the plane carrying the heart land without any delay. Incidentally, the youth is the son of a farmer from the drought-stricken region of Latur.
Even though the procedure has been successful for 16-year-old Rahul Karad, the family’s woes are far from being over. Rahul’s father Jyotiram Karad is relieved that his son is on the road to recovery but with his drought-striken fortune, he is worried about paying off the surgery’s bill that may go upto Rs 20 lakh. Mr Karad’s 2.5 acre land in Latur is parched and he therefore has limited resources to pay for his son’s medical bills.
“Rahul was looking forward to taking his SSC exams but had to be admitted as his health started deteriorating,” said Mr Karad. Speaking about their financial problems, he said, “We were barely able to get only five bags of Jowar this year due to the drought. We have spent about Rs 40,000-Rs 45,000 already and have to now arrange around Rs 20 lakh for the medical bills. We are depending on NGOs and other trusts to help us. I want to take my boy home.”
This was Rahul’s sixth attempt at getting a heart transplant as during the last five times either the donated did not match the specifications or the donors’ family refused to go ahead with the procedure.
The heart that saved Rahul’s life belonged to a 22-year-old youth who was declared brain dead after having met with a bike accident. As soon as the youth’s family consented for donation of his organs, NGO officials immediately informed Fortis Hospital and ZTCC staff members about the availability of the heart.
The 269 kilometres between Surat and Mumbai was covered within 79 minutes. It was the first standard operating procedure created by air ambulance service.
Speaking about Rahul’s case, his doctor, pediatric cardiac surgeon Dr Vijay Agarwal said, “After five failed attempts, it was Rahul’s willpower that kept him going. He will be kept under observation for 48 hours. He might be taken off the ventilator on Wednesday.”
