Dr Richard Saldanha and team performing a heart transplant on a patient.
BELAGAVI
The Dr Prabhakar Kore Hospital & Medical Research Centre, Belagavi, has achieved a rare feat of three heart transplants within 18 days in July, with noted cardiothoracic surgeon of Goan origin Dr Richard Saldanha heading these successful surgeries.
Earlier this year, Dr Saldanha and team carried out a successful heart transplant on a Goan youth. With this, the team has performed six successful heart transplants since 2018.
“It is a record performance in the state and brought glory to the city of Belagavi,” KLES chairperson Dr Prabhakar Kore acclaimed.
“I am thrilled with this feat. The KLES hospital was established with a vision that no patient from Belagavi and Goa region should be deprived of world-class treatment. Health services at the hospital are offered at highly affordable cost,” Dr Kore added.
Dr Saldanha said performing three heart transplants within 18 days needs world-class medical infrastructure including the best workforce, meticulous planning, post-transplant care and teamwork.
Appreciating the rare feat, KLES Medical Director and CEO Dr M V Jali said Dr Saldanha has been leading the team from the front.
“Transporting the donor's heart from SDM, Dharwad amid hostile climate and traffic conditions was an upheaval task. We are grateful to Hubli-Dharwad & Belagavi police for creating a green corridor after which the hearts reached the hospital within 58 minutes,” Dr Jali said.
"The family of a brain-dead rural youth from Khanapur taluka, Sadashiv Gaokar (26) also came forward for a heart transplant and more efforts like this would save more lives,” Dr Saldanha said, expressing the need for more such acts where the patients are declared brain dead.
The recipients of hearts comprised of a 25-year-youth from Kolhapur, an 18-year-boy from a village in Belagavi district and a 48-year-old patient from Ranebennur. All three were waiting for heart transplant for about two years. All three are fine now,” Dr Saldanha said.
“Usually, a transplant costs Rs 20 to 25 lakh in metros, whereas for the benefit of the people of Belagavi and Goa region, we have kept a minimum cost of Rs 10 lakh for heart transplant,” Dr Kore, who on Monday celebrated his 75th birthday, told The Goan.
Transplantation is free under Ayushman Bharath-Arogya Karnataka scheme.
He also that there is a need for more awareness for organ donation.
“Instead of burying or burning the organs with the body, more lives can be saved, if donated,” Dr Kore said.
The transplant team included Dr Mohan Gan, Dr Kiran Kurkure, Dr Darshan, Dr Abhisekh Prabhu and Dr Parshwanath Patil, Dr Sharangouda Patil, Dr Anand Vagrali, Dr Ahijeet Shitole, Dr Jabbar, Dr Shweta Cardiac Anaesthesia, perfusionists transplant coordinator assisted by trained nurses and technical support staff.
