Apollo Hospitals Chennai saves the lives of Two International Patients in Need of Urgent Kidney Transplant

• Another clinical milestone for Apollo Hospitals Amidst Covid19 Pandemic

Chennai: Apollo Hospitals, Asia’s largest and most trusted multi-specialty chain of hospitals, announces the successful completion of Kidney Transplants and recovery of two international patients, who were in dire need of organ transplantation during the ongoing pandemic.

 The Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has significantly affected solid organ transplantations (SOT) worldwide. Transplant patients are those with end-stage organ failure and fall in a highly vulnerable category.  And for post transplant patients with immunosuppression, the risk of infection is another challenge.

From Left : Dr. Saravanan, Dr. Deepak Ragavan, along with Patients Mr Guneshan Munisamy and Mrs. Sounita Soomaroo.

Amid this pandemic, considering the best interest of the patient, the expertteam at Apollo Hospitals Chennai has performed challenging Kidney transplants recently on Mrs. Sounita Soomaroo (Age 45) and Mr Guneshan Munisamy (age 58) from Mauritius.The Ministry of Health, Mauritius referred these patients and they reached Chennai in the beginning of March 2020 just before the first lockdown. The deteriorating health conditions of both the patients indicated an exigent need for renal transplant. The extended lockdown in the city had kept them on wait, however, the clinical team under Dr. Saravan, Nerphrologist and Dr. Deepak Raghavan, Transplant Surgeon at Apollo Hospitals ensured continuous care. With necessary permission obtained from the State Government, they underwent the transplant in the first week of June.

Dr Deepak Ragavan, Senior consultant urologist and renal transplant surgeon at Apollo Chennai said, “We feltit was prudent and after extensive counselling of the patients and their donors, and obtaining necessary clearance from Ministry of Health, Mauritius, we applied to Tamil Nadu State Organ Transplant Committee and obtained the necessary permission for living related donor kidney transplant.  We did extensive research on the best international  protocols  in conducting solid organ transplant amidst the covid 19 pandemic and decided to proceed with the transplant. The entire hospital machinery  was put into force,A dedicated team  was earmarked for them; the transplant team (consultant surgeons , junior  doctors, nurses  and theatre staff )was separated and  was to be involved only in the management them. Involving all stake holders, the core team led by Dr Margabandu Saravanan, Nephrologist, Dr Thirumalai Ganeshan, Senior Consultant Urologist & Robotic Surgeon & I went ahead with the transplant. We are grateful to the Tamil Nadu State Government Organ transplant committee, the Ministry of Health Mauritius and Apollo’s leadership team for this success.

In a special message, Dr Honorable Kailesh Kumar Singh Jagutpal, Minister of Health and Wellness-Mauritius, expressed his gratitude to Government of India, Government of Tamil Nadu and Apollo Hospitals Group for taking care of Mr Munisamy and Mrs.Soomaaro. He commended that inspite of all the obstacles due to the pandemic, the Indian and Mauritian colloboration have shown their endeavor to work together for the welfare of patients .He congratulated the all the healthcare professionals in India for their dedication and heroic role in the planetary fight against covid19 pandemic.

Dr Mrs Preetha Reddy, Vice Chairperson of Apollo Hospitals group said, “ This demonstration of our clinical bandwidth will be a reassuarance to patient community at  large who are battling serious ailments amidst this pandemic. While we reiterate our commitment to fight the pandemic, we are prepared to address the medical needs of   our patients suffering from non-communicable diseases with utmost safety protocols.  I thank the Organ Transplant Committee, Government of Tamil Nadu and Hon Dr Jagatpal. Minister of Health, Mauritius.  At  Apollo, we treasure our two decades old  relationship with Mauritus, Ministry of Health and we always believe that quality healthcare delivery is a shared responsibility.”

Both the procedures were complicated and required comprehensive and super specialty care. Apollo Hospitals provided utmost care for the patients even during these testing times of the pandemic. Dedicated team of healthcare experts and Zero-Covid infection rate at the hospital ensured the best pre and post- surgery care of the patients. Apollo Hospitals is thankful to the Tamil Nadu Government for their quick clearance which enabled saving two lives at a time.