Organ transplantation in the country has come a long way. End stage organ failure is not an end of life. The organ transplantation has emerged as the best option for those who have organ failures. Thanks to medical infrastructures, expertise and donors who are coming forward to donate organs. Life expectancy, quality of life post-transplant is encouraging. Here is the live example of Retired Indian Railways employee 62-year-old P.V. Ramanaiah resident of Visakhapatnam, is the first Indian to compete in tennis at the World Transplant Games (WTG) 2023 to be held in Perth, Australia. He had undergone a liver transplant in 2017 at Gleneagles Global Hospital, Hyderabad.
Right from childhood sports enthusiast Ramanaiah has represented India at the Junior Asian Youth Football Championship in Nepal, and also played for Andhra Pradesh at the U-19 Football Championship.
He was diagnosed as fatty liver leading to end stage liver cirrhosis, a condition in which excess fat builds up in the liver which leads to inflammation and over a long period of time, leads to scarring of the liver.
In 2017, when his condition worsened, he was taken to Gleneagles Global Hospitals in Hyderabad. In view of progressive liver dysfunction leading to life threatening complications, the experts in the liver department advised the need for a liver transplant being the only way out to save his life.
. He underwent deceased donor liver transplantation on February 2, 2017. In a stable condition he was discharged post-transplant. After 5 years of liver transplant, this is a proud moment for us as well to see him represent the country in an international sports meet.” Said Dr. Riyaz Khan, Cluster CEO Gleneagles Global Hospitals
The aim of Transplant Games is to raise public awareness on the importance and benefits of organ donation by demonstrating the health and fitness that can be achieved post-transplant and encourage all participants to remain fit and healthy post organ transplant. P.V. Ramanaiah is the living testimony who has bravely fought the disease and is leading an active & productive life. We wish him all the best in coming World Transplant Games.
Complied by Dr. Pramod N Sulikeri, Ph.D
Sr. Transplant Coordinator, KLES Dr. Prabhakar Kore Hospital, Belagavi.
