Chennai : A team of doctors at Fortis Malar Hospital performed a successful heart transplant surgery on a 15-year-old girl recently here. The patient topped her school before she was diagnosed with Dilated Cardiomyopathy. She received the donor heart during a surgery that lasted less than 4 hours. The team of doctors who successfully performed this surgery was led by Dr K R Balakrishnan, Director, Cardiac Sciences, Fortis Malar Hospital and Dr Suresh Rao KG, Head of the Department, Critical Care and Cardiac Anaesthesia, Fortis Malar Hospital.

 

Ms Dharanum Parveen from Bihar is a bright student who repeatedly topped the school despite her humble economic background. However, with deteriorating health due to her heart condition, it was difficult for her to study. She was admitted in Childs Trust Hospital and was very critically ill and transferred to Fortis Malar for a heart transplant. Since she is from Bihar she is not eligible for Tamil Nadu CM Scheme. At this point, the Aishwarya Trust, a non-profit organisation serving over a decade to support medical expenses of deserving patient from economically underprivileged section of the society, came forward to finance her treatment. Ms Parveen’s father works as a tailor in Parry’s corner and her mother works as a domestic help. Consequent to the successful transplant, Ms Parveen is now recovering and eagerly waiting to join back school.

 

Speaking on the endeavour, Ms Chitra Vishwanathan, Trustee of Aishwarya Trust said, “Ms Parveen was in a very bad condition and needed immediate transplant. The family was not able to afford the expenses of heart transplant. When I came to know about Ms Parveen, my heart went out for her. Thus, I discussed this with my trustees and we agreed to finance the child. I am very delighted that the surgery went well, and the child can now lead a meaningful life. I am also very proud of our team of doctors at Fortis Malar who left no stones unturned in saving the lives of children in need of heart transplant and Ms Dharanum Parveen is also one of them.”

 

While her heart condition was not detected earlier, the first signs started showing off when she encountered severe leg and abdominal pain. The condition worsened with each passing day as her leg started to swell and she struggled to breath normally. She was hospitalised immediately and consequently a donor was successfully transplanted onto her.

 

On the condition of the patient, Dr K R Balakrishnan said, “Parveen was brought in a critical condition into Fortis Malar. We provided medication to support her frail heart and monitored her clinical functions closely. Luckily, she got a heart within two weeks and it was decided to transplant the donor heart. I am happy that she has responded well to the treatment and can resume her studies soon. My sincere thanks and appreciation to Aishwarya Trust who supported the family financially during her treatment.”

 

A seemingly happy Ms. Dharanum Parveen said, “I am grateful to Dr. K R. Balakrishnan and his team of doctors who took good care of me during my stay at Fortis Malar. I would also like to thank the donor family for taking the decision of donating the organs. My heart transplant would not been complete without the support from Aishwarya Trust. I am very grateful for my new life and my gratitude towards the team of doctors will remain forever. I am looking forward to re-join my school and catch up on my studies soon.”