PGI 28.01.2024 - In a poignant act of selflessness; a valiant son, Dr Kamal from Patiala, himself is a practising doctor, has made his father Sh Nachhatter Singh immortal through organ donation, contributing to saving of lives of two renal failure patients through kidney transplantation here at  PGIMER, Chandigarh.

Expressing his gratitude to the donor family for their generous act, Prof Vivek Lal, Director PGIMER stated, “The donor family of Sh Nachhatter Singh is an epitome of compassion and benevolence. The son being a doctor himself, though knew about organ donation, but taking a call for organ donation amid your own grief of losing your father, is far more magnanimous than any eulogy, any words of gratitude. These are the people who instil confidence in humanity and make PGIMER an inspiration.”

The picture perfect life of the donor family from Patiala suddenly crashed when Sh.Nachhatter Singh, 58 years old, was admitted to PGIMER on 9th January following an intra cranial bleed. The prognosis being poor, Sh Nachhatter Singh could not be revived and became brain dead on 16th January.    

On being informed about the brain death, the family showcased exceptional initiative and expressed willingness to donate organs of their dear one to the attending doctors. With his mother supporting him in his heroic decision, Dr Kamal consented for organ donation.

Expressing his sentiment after his exemplary decision of organ donation of his brain dead father after his passing, the brave-heart son, Dr Kamal said, “It is a bittersweet moment for our family. Losing my father is undoubtedly heartbreaking, but being able to contribute to the lives of others through organ donation brings a sense of purpose to this loss. My father's legacy lives on in the lives he has saved".

Echoing the same sentiments of her son; the resolute mother said, “So when the doctors broke the news of my husband’s irretrievable condition, I thought that he lived his entire life caring for others only, it seemed right that it should be his final act as well.”

 Prof Vipin Koushal, Medical Superintendent, PGIMER & Nodal Officer, ROTTO (North) detailing about the latest cadaver donation, stated, “Any initiative, however difficult, becomes successful when the community owns it and takes it forward. With the donor families like that of Sh Nachhatter Singh from Patiala setting role models for others to follow, it seems we have come a long way through awareness generation. These families are the bedrock of the cadaver donation programme as they sustain faith for the cause. The donor’s story is a story of resurrection, of good coming full circle.”  

Following the family’s decision, the kidneys retrieved from the donor transplanted to two terminal patients suffering from “end-stage debilitating kidney ailment” and  dependent on kidney dialysis for long, sustaining hope for many in-waiting recipients here at  PGIMER.  
“I can’t thank the donor family of Sh Nachhatter Singh, enough for their kindness to have given a second lease of life. How courageous it was of them despite their own grim tragedy, said the family members of kidney recipients in unison as the recipients were recovering well in PGIMER.