Apollo Hospitals, Chennai successfully performed Kidney Transplants of two patients from Mauritius who were in dire need of organ transplantation during the ongoing pandemic. The Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has significantly affected solid organ transplantations (SOT) worldwide. Transplant patients are those with end-stage organ failure and fall in a highly vulnerable category. And for post-transplant patients with immunosuppression, the risk of infection is another challenge.
Amidst this pandemic, considering the best interest of the patient, the expert team at Apollo Hospitals, Chennai performed challenging kidney transplantations on Mrs. Sounita Soomaroo, 45-year-old and Mr. Guneshan Munisamy, 58-year-old from Mauritius. The Ministry of Health, Mauritius referred these patients and they reached Chennai in the beginning of March 2020 just before the first lockdown. The deteriorating health conditions of both the patients indicated an exigent need for renal transplant. The extended lockdown in the city had kept them waiting. However, the clinical team under Dr. Saravan, Nephrologist and Dr. Deepak Raghavan, Transplant Surgeon at Apollo Hospitals ensured continuous care. With necessary permission obtained from the State Government, they underwent the transplant in the first week of June.
Dr Deepak Ragavan, Senior Consultant Urologist and Renal Transplant Surgeon at Apollo Hospitals, Chennai said, “We felt it was prudent and after extensive counselling of the patients and their donors, and obtaining necessary clearance from Ministry of Health, Mauritius, we applied to Tamil Nadu State Organ Transplant Committee and obtained the necessary permission for performing living related donor kidney transplant. We did extensive research on the best international protocols in conducting solid organ transplant amidst the COVID-19 situation and decided to proceed with the transplant. The entire hospital machinery was put into force. A dedicated team was earmarked for them; the transplant team (Consultant Surgeons, Junior doctors, Nurses and Theatre staff) was separated and was to be involved only in their management. Involving all stakeholders, the core team led by Dr Margabandu Saravanan, Nephrologist, Dr Thirumalai Ganeshan, Senior Consultant Urologist & Robotic Surgeon & I went ahead with the transplant. We are grateful to the Tamil Nadu State Government Organ transplant committee, the Ministry of Health Mauritius and Apollo’s leadership team for this success.”
In a special message, Dr Honorable Kailesh Kumar Singh Jagutpal, Minister of Health and Wellness-Mauritius, expressed his gratitude to Government of India, Government of Tamil Nadu and Apollo Hospitals Group for taking care of Mr. Munisamy and Mrs. Soomaaro. He commended that in spite of all the obstacles due to the pandemic, the Indian and Mauritian collaboration have shown their endeavor to work together for the welfare of patients. He congratulated all the healthcare professionals in India for their dedication and heroic role in the planetary fight against COVID-19 situation.
Ms. Preetha Reddy, Vice Chairperson of Apollo Hospitals Group said, “This demonstration of our clinical bandwidth will be a reassurance to the patient community at large who are battling serious ailments amidst this pandemic. While we reiterate our commitment to fight the pandemic, we are prepared to address the medical needs of our patients suffering from non-communicable diseases with utmost safety protocols. I thank the Organ Transplant Committee, Government of Tamil Nadu and Honorable Dr Jagatpal. Minister of Health, Mauritius. At Apollo, we treasure our two decades old relationship with Mauritius, and we always believe that quality healthcare delivery is a shared responsibility.”
Apollo Hospitals is thankful to the Tamil Nadu Government for their quick clearance which enabled saving two lives at a time.
