Kerala girl gives part of her liver to ailing father, becomes youngest organ donor in India

Mangalore Today News Network

Aluva, Feb 20, 2023: Devananda, a 17-year-old girl, reportedly became the youngest organ donor in the country after she donated a part of her liver to her ailing father after a legal battle.

The surgery was conducted at Rajagiri Hospital in Aluva on February 9, led by Dr Ramachandran Narayanamenon, chief of multi-organ transplant services at Rajagiri Hospital.

 

Devananda is a student of Thrissur Sacred Heart Convent School. Her father, Pratheesh, who runs a cafe in Thrissur, suffered from fluid accumulation in his leg which on further evaluation revealed liver disease along with cancerous lesion in the liver. His family was devastated when doctors advised them that there was no other option than to go for liver transplantation at the earliest.

Failing to find a matching donor, Devananda asked if she could be the donor.

TEEN WINS LEGAL BATTLE

She found that according to the existing 1994 Act related to transplantation of human organs, not having completed 18 years of age is a barrier to organ donation.

She decided to approach court. A single bench of Justice VG Arun granted permission while observing, "It is heartening to note that the unrelenting fight put up by Devananda has finally succeeded. I applaud the petitioner’s fight to save her father’s life. Blessed are parents who have children like Devananda."

According to hospital authorities, Devananda made drastic changes in her diet and she joined a local gym with regular exercises to ensure her liver was in the best condition for donation. Appreciating her heroic efforts, Rajagiri Hospital waived off her medical expenses, including the donor surgery.

Courtesy: India Today