A two-and-a-half year-old boy in Gujarat, whose multiple organs were donated to save lives, became the youngest cadaver donor. The child saved as many as seven lives that included two four-year-old children from Russia and Ukraine.
Jash Oza fell from the second floor balcony of his neighbour’s house in Shanti Palace of Bhatar area in Surat on December 9. Upon falling, he suffered brain haemorrhage and swelling.
Doctors declared him brain dead on December 14.
Despite the huge loss, little Jash’s parents Sanjeev Oza and Arachana agreed to contribute to the noble cause of donating his heart, liver, lungs, both kidneys and eyes, said Nilesh Mandlewala, founder, Donate Life, a voluntary organization working to encourage organ donation.
Even in death, the little Gujarat boy gifted life to many by donating his organs.
Salute to Youngest Organ Donor of Surat,Gujarat
Lt. Jash Oza (Age 2.5 years) whose Heart, Lungs, Kidney, Liver & Corneas have been donated giving new lease of life and vision to 7 persons across the country and the world.
Salute to family members of Lt. Jash Sanjeev Oza. 🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/lyCBDLbyHx
— Jigar Sitapara 🇮🇳🕉 (@jigar_sitapara) December 17, 2020
Jash’s heart and lungs were transported within 160 minutes to Chennai via air, and the heart was transplanted into a four-year-old child from Russia. His lungs were transplanted into a four-year-old child from Ukraine in MGM Hospital in Chennai.
“The family was shattered after doctors told them that their little one was brain dead. Sanjeev has also been creating awareness about cadaver donations and in such a difficult situation, he took a decision of organ donation. Jash was fondly called as ‘Babu’ in his family,’‘ Mandlewala told The Times Of India.
When he once uttered the word ‘mummy’, Jash’s mother became hopeful of recovery. “But we explained to her that he was medically dead and his vital organs won’t be useful if they wait for too long. She was also convinced and told us that she wants to see Jash alive in more people,’‘ Mandlewala added.
State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (SOTTO)‘s convener Dr. Pranjal Modi was then informed for further process.
The kidneys were transported by road to Ahmedabad’s Institute of Kidney Diseases and Research Centre (IKDRC) via a special green corridor, covering 265 km in 180 minutes.
One of the kidneys was transplanted into a 13-year-old girl from Surendranagar, while another was donated to a 17-year-old girl from Surat. His liver was given to a two-year-old girl from Bhavnagar.