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Rajasthan's Pioneering Heart Transplant: A Decade of Renewed Life
2 Aug
Summary
- Suraj Bhan, a 42-year-old farmer, received Rajasthan's first heart transplant in 2015
- The donor was an 18-year-old named Raju, who was declared brain dead after an accident
- Suraj Bhan has thrived in the decade since, managing his farm and living an active life
Ten years ago, Suraj Bhan's life hung in the balance. Today, the 42-year-old farmer from Hanumangarh, Rajasthan, ploughs his cotton fields with a steady hand and a strong heart - one that once beat in the chest of an 18-year-old donor.
In August 2015, Rajasthan made medical history when doctors at Mahatma Gandhi Hospital in Jaipur performed the state's first-ever heart transplant on Suraj Bhan. His original heart had been damaged by a failed valve surgery 19 years earlier, leaving it functioning at just 10%. As his condition worsened, the transplant team raced against time to save his life.
The donor was Raju, an 18-year-old who had been declared brain dead after a tragic accident. His family's decision to donate his organs turned a devastating loss into a lifeline for Suraj Bhan. The complex surgery was a success, and within weeks, Suraj Bhan was walking without breathlessness and back in his fields.
Today, a decade later, Suraj Bhan continues to thrive in Jorawarpura village. He manages his five-bigha farm, drives a tractor, and travels by bus for monthly check-ups - living proof that transplants can restore not just life, but vitality. His story has inspired others in the transplant community, with his children pursuing their own dreams of a pharmacy degree and a banking career.
Rajasthan's pioneering heart transplant has given Suraj Bhan a second chance at life, and his journey stands as a testament to the power of medical innovation and the transformative impact of organ donation.
