How was the liver transported from AIIMS-Rishikesh to PGIMER?

The liver was transported by road from AIIMS-Rishikesh to PGIMER, Chandigarh, for the first time to minimize ischemia time.

What challenges did the organ transplant mission face?

The mission faced extreme weather conditions like biting cold, incessant rain, and strong winds, along with critical time constraints.

Which organs were donated and transplanted from AIIMS-Rishikesh?

The donated organs included a liver, one kidney, and pancreas to PGIMER; one kidney to AIIMS New Delhi; the heart to Army Hospital, New Delhi; and lungs to Apollo Hospital, Chennai.

Home / Health / Organ Donor's Liver Travels Miles to Save Life

Organ Donor's Liver Travels Miles to Save Life

24 Jan

•

Summary

A liver traveled by road from AIIMS-Rishikesh to PGIMER, Chandigarh.
Organ retrieval and transplant mission faced extreme weather and time limits.
Multiple organs were successfully donated and transplanted across India.

Organ Donor's Liver Travels Miles to Save Life

A pioneering organ transplant mission saw PGIMER, Chandigarh, successfully retrieve a liver from AIIMS-Rishikesh on January 16, 2026. Battling severe weather conditions including cold, rain, and wind, along with critical time constraints, medical teams achieved a significant milestone.

This mission involved an overnight road journey to minimize ischemia time, a first for liver transportation from AIIMS-Rishikesh to PGIMER. The donor, Raghu Paswan, was declared brain-dead after a fall, and his family's decision to donate organs offered hope to many.

Beyond the liver, one kidney and pancreas went to PGIMER, another kidney to AIIMS New Delhi, the heart to Army Hospital New Delhi, and lungs to Apollo Hospital Chennai. The pancreas transplant into a 28-year-old woman, who has managed diabetes since childhood, shows promising recovery.