Second Chance: Lung Transplant Gives New Life

A Faridabad woman is now living a full life, a year after undergoing a rare bilateral lung transplant. Previously reliant on an oxygen cylinder due to end-stage lung disease, Jharna Bhaumik now enjoys daily activities without breathlessness.

Her transplant on May 15, 2025, at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital in Delhi, offered a second chance. However, the procedure underscored India's significant shortage of donor organs. Annually, only about 150 of the 1,000 patients on the lung transplant waiting list receive organs, leading to many deaths.

Doctors emphasize that the first year post-transplant is critical. It involves intensive monitoring for organ rejection and infections, managed with lifelong immunosuppressive medications. This requires patients to undergo frequent tests and rehabilitation to regain stamina and respiratory endurance.

The success of Bhaumik's transplant was made possible by a grieving donor family's decision to consent to organ donation. Experts highlight that India's cadaver organ donation rate remains low due to a lack of awareness and social hesitation, creating a vast gap between organ demand and supply.

Beyond the medical aspects, the transplant journey is emotionally and financially taxing. Costs for surgery, ICU care, rehabilitation, and lifelong medication are substantial. Consistent family support and ongoing medical surveillance are vital for patients' long-term recovery and well-being.