Ambulance rushes to Kozhikode carrying brain dead youth's heart, health minister seeks help

Kochi: Health Minister Veena George on Saturday said that an ambulance carrying a heart from Ernakulam to Kozhikode should be allowed to move without disruptions. The ambulance is carrying the heart of a 25-year old youth who was declared brain dead at Rajagiri hospital here. His heart is being taken to Metro International Hospital in Kozhikode for a heart transplantation surgery of a patient.

Nevis, a native of Kottayam died at the Rajagiri Hospital in Ernakulam after falling unconscious at his home. As the doctors declared him brain dead, the relatives agreed to donate eight of his organs, through Mritha Sanjeevani (KNOS), an organ donation scheme of the Government of Kerala. 

Nevis, who was studying for Masters in Accounting, was found unconscious in his room on August 16. He went to sleep the previous day after attending his online class but failed to wake up on time. Later, in the morning his sister found him unconscious in his room after she went to wake him up. He was soon rushed to the Caritas Hospital in Kottayam, but his condition deteriorated due to low blood sugar.

Later, he was moved to Rajagiri Hospital after his condition worsened. Nevis' father and mother volunteered for organ donation after his brain death was confirmed on Friday. It was after this, a request for heart transplantation was received from a hospital in Kozhikode. 

Health Minister Veena George lauded the family for coming forward with organ donation despite going through such a hard time in their life. The minister said that there is no time to spare, and requested people to cooperate for the ease in movement of the ambulance.