Kolkata: Critically injured after an attack by a Bengal tiger, organs of a 36-year-old Sundarbans fisherman who was declared brain dead at SSKM Hospital’s Trauma Care Centre are set to save multiple lives. The organs of another deceased donor, a 37-year-old from Hooghly, will breathe new life in two renal failure patients.With this, the deceased organ donation count hit 12 in Bengal this year.Ajit Molla (36) from Maipith in Sundarbans had sustained severe spinal injuries on Sept 2 after a tiger pounced on him while he was fishing. The tiger dragged him for around 20 ft before fellow fishermen managed to rescue Molla.Initially rushed to a nearby primary health centre where he was resuscitated, Molla was referred to SSKM the same day. Doctors said he was brought in an extremely critical condition and had to be put on ventilation immediately. Despite all possible treatment including spine surgery, the patient showed no signs of improvement and was declared brain dead.“We have saved many tiger attack victims in the past. The force with which the tiger pounced on him caused massive spinal injury. This time also we tried our best but could not save him. We declared him brain dead after the family consented,” said TCC in charge and ITU specialist Rajat Choudhury.Mithun Mondal, assistant secretary of APDR’s South 24 Parganas unit, spoke with the family and counselled them for organ donation. He is survived by his wife, Taslima, and four young daughters. This is the second case of a family from the Muslim community agreeing to deceased organ donation in the state.In the second case, the family of Sourav Pal (37), who was declared brain dead at Desun Hospital, donated his organs. Pal, a resident of Adisaptagram, Hooghly, had suffered brain haemorrhage on Aug 25. Initially admitted at SSKM, the family shifted him to the private hospital on Sept 6 under the care of Amitabha Saha, director, critical care & internal medicine.Desun Hospital chairman & managing director Sajal Dutta said, “In the midst of unimaginable grief, they have chosen to give the gift of life to others. We are honoured to have facilitated this donation and grateful to every medical professional involved in making this possible.” Medical evaluation confirmed that only the kidneys and corneas were suitable for retrieval. ROTTO (East) allocated the kidneys to SSKM and Ruby General Hospital and the corneas went to Disha Eye Hospital.
