15 corneas donated by families of patients who died during Diwali

During the Diwali celebrations this week, 15 corneas were donated across city hospitals by families of patients who died due to natural causes. Counsellors across eye banks recalled the willingness of relatives to make donations when approached with the idea.

At Ruby Hall Clinic, transplant coordinator Surekha Joshi said four cornea donations had taken place in the past five days.

“In one case, the offsprings of a 78-year-old woman who succumbed to heart ailment donated two corneas. The second case was the death of a 50-year-old autorickshaw driver from Yerawada who had undergone angioplasty six months ago and died of complications. His three unmarried children were brave in facing the situation,” Joshi said.

Seven eye donations have taken place at HV Desai Eye Hospital since October 22, a senior doctor at the eye bank said.

“We got four calls and seven corneas were donated by the families of patients. What is heartening is that it is easier to convince people and, in other cases, they are coming
forward on their own due to awareness. What better gift to give than sight to someone during this festival of lights?” she said.

At Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital too, four corneas were donated by families of two senior citizens who died of age related problems at the hospital, said transplant coordinator Shilpa Barve.

“The deceased were aged 87 years and 76 years. They were not registered for donation, but their families agreed readily after our counsellors approached them. It is indeed a
tough decision for families, but their act will give sight to four blind people,” she said.