March 3rd 2025.
A heart-wrenching yet remarkable story unfolded in Bhubaneswar as a 16-month-old boy, Janmesh Lenka, became the youngest organ donor in the state of Odisha. This selfless act of kindness gave a new lease on life to two patients, bringing a glimmer of hope amidst their struggles. The news was confirmed by an official from AIIMS-Bhubaneswar on Monday, who commended the parents of Janmesh for their courageous decision that transformed their personal tragedy into a beacon of hope for others.
It all began when little Janmesh was admitted to the paediatric department of AIIMS Bhubaneswar on February 12. He had accidentally inhaled a foreign object, causing a blockage in his airway and making it difficult for him to breathe. Although he received immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the intensive care team worked tirelessly for two weeks to stabilize him, Janmesh was declared brain dead on March 1, as stated by the official.
Despite their unimaginable loss, the medical team at AIIMS Bhubaneswar saw the possibility of giving the gift of life to others through organ donation. They approached the grieving parents and counseled them about the process, to which they bravely consented. Thus, Janmesh's organs were donated to save the lives of others, as per his parents' wishes.
With the consent in place, a team of skilled surgeons and transplant coordinators promptly swung into action to facilitate the retrieval and transplantation process. The liver was successfully retrieved by Dr. Brahmadutt Patnaik and his team, and then transported to the Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences in New Delhi. It was transplanted into a child suffering from end-stage liver failure, the official stated.
Meanwhile, the kidneys were also retrieved and transplanted en-bloc into a single adolescent patient at AIIMS Bhubaneswar. This complex surgical procedure was led by Dr. Prasant Nayak from the urology department, making it only the second instance of en-bloc kidney transplantation in the state. The official further shared that the institute issued a statement acknowledging this as a landmark achievement and Odisha's youngest organ donation.
Dr. Ashutosh Biswas, the executive director of AIIMS Bhubaneswar, praised the transplant coordination team and the medical professionals involved for their relentless efforts in ensuring the successful execution of the organ retrieval and transplantation process. He also expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Janmesh's parents for their extraordinary generosity during such a trying time. Dr. Biswas emphasized the importance of this act, stating that it not only saved lives but also set an example for promoting awareness about paediatric organ donation in India.
It is worth noting that Janmesh's father is a hostel warden at AIIMS Bhubaneswar, making this a deeply personal yet life-changing event for the institute. In the words of Janmesh's mother, "I will not get my son back, but my son's organs will bring happiness to other mothers when transplanted onto their children." As per Odisha's government policy, Janmesh's mortal remains were cremated with full honors on Monday. His selfless act will always be remembered, and his legacy will continue to inspire others to consider organ donation.
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