In a quiet but life-altering decision taken amid grief, a 71-year-old man’s family in Mumbai enabled multiple transplants through deceased organ donation, marking the city’s fourth such donation of 2026, officials said.
The organ retrieval was carried out at Nanavati Max Super Speciality Hospital on January 17, following the patient’s declaration of brain death. The donor’s liver and both kidneys were harvested and allocated to recipients as per state organ allocation guidelines, coordinated by the Zonal Transplant Coordination Centre (ZTCC), Mumbai.
In addition to vital organs, the family also consented to tissue donation, enabling the retrieval of corneas, skin, and bone—a gesture that will help restore sight, aid reconstructive surgeries, and support orthopaedic procedures for multiple patients.
“All organ and tissue distribution was done strictly in accordance with state guidelines,” said Ms Urmila Mahajan, ZTCC Mumbai, confirming the details of the donation.
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While organ donation figures often appear as statistics, each case represents an intensely personal decision made by families at a moment of profound loss. In this instance, the donor’s son, Dr Piyush Banthiya, himself a medical professional, played a key role in honouring his father’s wishes and consenting to the donation.
According to ZTCC data, Mumbai continues to report a persistent gap between organ demand and availability, particularly for kidneys and liver transplants. Deceased organ donation remains critical to narrowing this gap, especially in a city with a large waiting list and limited live donors.
Experts point out that while organs save lives, tissue donation dramatically improves quality of life. Corneas restore vision to those with corneal blindness. Skin grafts are lifesaving for burn victims.
Bone tissue supports complex reconstructive and orthopaedic surgeries. Unlike solid organs, tissues can benefit multiple recipients and often have longer preservation windows.
Mumbai has seen a gradual increase in deceased organ donations over the past decade, aided by better hospital protocols, trained transplant coordinators, and greater public awareness. Yet, doctors stress that each donation still depends on family consent, underscoring the importance of conversations around organ donation before tragedy strikes.