21-month-old toddler gifts life to others

He was diagnosed with meningitis

His liver, kidneys were transplanted to needful beneficiaries

In a heart-wrenching yet inspiring story, a 21-month-old child from Odisha has become the youngest cadaver donor in India. According to reliable sources, the toddler, who tragically succumbed to meningitis, has posthumously given the gift of life to two individuals through organ donation.

Also Read: Karnataka: Mother exemplifies selflessness as she okays organ-donation of braindead 11-year-old son

The child, who had been unwell since birth, had frequent hospital visits and medical treatments. Approximately two weeks ago, his condition worsened, and he was admitted to a private hospital in Bhubaneswar. Doctors diagnosed him with meningitis, and despite their best efforts, he later suffered septic shock and became brain dead.

In an act of profound generosity amid their grief, the boy’s parents, Gouri Shankar Panigrahi and Sharmistha Panigrahi, decided to donate his organs. They informed the medical team of their decision, who then contacted the State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (SOTTO). SOTTO swiftly coordinated the necessary procedures to facilitate the organ donation.

The plan was to transplant three of the child’s organs: his liver, heart, and kidneys. The liver and one kidney were successfully matched and transplanted into recipients, thereby saving two lives. Unfortunately, the heart could not be used due to the unavailability of a suitable recipient.

This remarkable act of kindness from the Panigrahi family has not only honored their son’s memory but has also underscored the critical importance of organ donation, offering a glimmer of hope and life to those in dire need.