Gouri Shankar Panigrahi : “Parents Donate Brain Dead Infant’s Organs” – Saving Lives

Bhubaneswar: In a remarkable act of generosity, the parents of a 21-month-old baby boy, who was pronounced brain dead at AIIMS hospital in Odisha’s capital, Bhubaneswar, made the decision to donate their child’s organs in order to give a chance at life to two other individuals. This selfless act has touched the hearts of many and is being widely praised on social media platforms.

The infant’s parents, Gouri Shankar Panigrahi and Sharmistha Panigrahi, who are both talented artists residing in Bhubaneswar, faced a heartbreaking situation when their baby boy, born in July 2022, started experiencing health complications. Despite seeking medical attention and undergoing treatment, the baby’s condition deteriorated, leading to a diagnosis of meningitis.

Tragic Turn of Events

Following the meningitis diagnosis, the infant was admitted to AIIMS hospital in Bhubaneswar, where he fought bravely but unfortunately succumbed to septic shock, ultimately being declared brain dead. It was at this moment of immense grief that the parents made the difficult yet noble decision to donate their child’s organs, giving hope to others in need of life-saving transplants.

Upon informing the hospital authorities of their wish to donate, the State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (SOTTO) and the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO) were swiftly contacted to facilitate the organ donation process.

Organ Donation Process

The liver of the infant was designated to be transported to the Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS) in New Delhi, where a young patient awaited a life-saving transplant. Simultaneously, the kidneys were allocated to a hospital in Bhubaneswar to benefit another individual in need of a transplant.

A specialised team from AIIMS Bhubaneswar expertly harvested the liver for transport to New Delhi, with the local police coordinating a green corridor to ensure the swift and safe passage of the organ to Bhubaneswar’s Biju Patnaik Airport.

Emotional Reflections

The mother of the baby expressed profound sadness over the loss of her child, but found solace in knowing that his organs would give another child the opportunity for a renewed lease on life. This act of kindness and compassion in the face of tragedy serves as a poignant reminder of the power of organ donation in transforming lives and spreading hope.