Pariyaram, a small town in Kerala's Thrissur district, was already in festive spirits due to the ongoing church festival when the announcement came that Dr. Jose Chacko Periappuram had been awarded the Padma Bhushan for his contribution to medicine. This is a proud moment for the state, but it is especially important for the people of Pariyaram, and particularly for Mathew Achadan, a humble autorickshaw driver. Achadan is one of the many lives touched by Dr. Periappuram’s hands. In 2015, Dr. Periappuram performed a heart transplant on Achadan—remarkably, it was the first time an air ambulance was used in Kerala to transport a heart.

“It’s well-deserved for a noble human being like Periappuram. He is someone who goes to great lengths for his patients. I personally know him as a person who sacrifices sleep and time for the welfare of his patients. Periappuram was conferred the Padma Shri in 2011. This is just another accolade for someone who is dedicated to the wellbeing of hearts,” Achadan said.

How it unfolded

In 2015, Achadan was admitted to Lisie Hospital after being diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy, a condition that weakens the heart muscle and impairs its ability to pump blood effectively. Despite weeks of treatment and testing, it became clear that Achadan’s condition was irreversible, and a heart transplant was his only chance of survival. He was placed on the waiting list of the Kerala Network for Organ Sharing (KNOS), and during this anxious waiting period, his family endured immense stress.

The local community in Pariyaram rallied around Achadan, as he was the sole breadwinner for his family. A medical aid committee was formed, with support from local leaders such as then-Pariyaram Panchayat member Dali Varghese and teacher PV Shibu, who were also his neighbours. The committee worked tirelessly to raise funds and offer emotional support. Despite their efforts, Achadan’s health deteriorated, and he was hospitalised multiple times for pulmonary obstruction, a serious complication. There were growing fears that the transplant might not happen in time.

In a twist of fate, a heart became available from Neelakanta Sharma, a young lawyer from Thiruvananthapuram, who had been declared brain-dead after suffering a brain haemorrhage. His family consented to donate his organs, and the heart was found to be a potential match for Achadan. However, the challenge was how to transport the heart from Thiruvananthapuram to Ernakulam. A road journey would take about four hours, and delays could jeopardise the success of the transplant, especially with poor road conditions.

The idea of using an air ambulance was proposed. Dr. Periappuram reached out to his cousin in the Navy to explore the possibility of using a Navy helicopter for transport. The then Chief Minister, Oommen Chandy, was contacted through MLA Hibi Eden, and coordination with the district collector and naval commanders began to arrange for a suitable helicopter. Initially, the Navy offered a single-engine helicopter that could carry only two passengers, but this was deemed unsuitable. After further deliberations, they agreed to provide a Dornier aircraft, which could carry six people along with all the necessary medical equipment. This decision was made after several late-night calls, ensuring that the transplant could proceed without further delay.

The medical team, led by Dr. Periappuram, flew to Thiruvananthapuram by Dornier aircraft, landing at the military runway, where they were greeted by a large group of media personnel. Before retrieving the heart, the doctors met the family of the organ donor, Neelakanta Sharma, to thank them. In the operating room, doctors found that the donor heart had excessive calcium deposits in its arteries, which raised concerns about its suitability. However, after a quick discussion, they decided to perform an angiogram using a newly acquired fluoroscopy machine. The angiogram confirmed that the heart was free of obstructions, allowing the doctors to proceed with the transplant.

The medical team returned to the airport, and in just 13 minutes, reached Thiruvananthapuram airport. The Dornier aircraft took off and reached Kochi in 35 minutes. Upon arrival, they sped towards Lisie Hospital, with police clearing traffic along the busy MG Road to create a green corridor for the ambulance. The public showed their support, waving and cheering as the ambulance passed by.

By midnight, Achadan’s heart transplant was successfully completed, giving him a new lease of life.

The cost of the air transport was covered by the state government, with Chief Minister Oommen Chandy allocating ₹6 lakh for the Dornier aircraft. Initially, businessman Siddique Ahmed of the Eram Group had offered to pay for the aircraft, but the government’s funding helped to cover the costs. Siddique later contributed additional funds towards Achadan’s treatment.

Involvement of locals in Pariyaram

The local community in Pariyaram worked tirelessly to raise ₹25 lakh for the transplant. The aid committee had raised ₹50,000 in its first meeting, and by the time the donor heart became available, they had raised ₹10-15 lakh. Later, Siddique Ahmed offered to cover the remaining expense. Chief Minister Oommen Chandy’s announcement that the government would fund the air ambulance brought immense relief to all involved.

Achadan’s present

Years later, Achadan is leading a fulfilling life, surrounded by his wife and two children, who are his pillars of support. His children, who live abroad, are home for the holidays, particularly to be part of the church festival. The achievement of Dr. Periappuram is celebrated by Achadan’s family and the people of Pariyaram.

According to Achadan, he occasionally stays in touch with Dr. Periappuram but acknowledges that someone so busy should not be disturbed for casual chats. Commenting on the state of organ donations in Kerala, Achadan said there are many misconceptions, and public awareness is crucial.

About Dr. Periappuram

Dr. Jose Chacko Periappuram is currently the head of the cardiac surgery division at Lisie Heart Institute in Kochi. He is the first doctor in Kerala to perform a successful heart transplant in 2003. To date, he has performed 30 heart transplants.