Patna: The family of a 50-year-old brain-dead patient at AIIMS-Patna has donated his liver, both kidneys and corneas, offering a new lease of life to patients awaiting transplants.The donation, only the fourth from a deceased donor in Bihar in six years, has highlighted the vast gap between the state and those leading the country in cadaveric organ donation.The latest case is significant as, for the first time, all organs retrieved from a deceased donor in Bihar have been utilised within the state. The liver and one kidney were transplanted at AIIMS-Patna, while the other kidney was transported to IGIMS through a green corridor. The corneas will be used for eligible recipients.The contrast with other states is stark. According to National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO), Tamil Nadu recorded 268 deceased donors in 2024, followed by Telangana with 188 and Maharashtra with 172.The latest donor, Narottam Kumar, was admitted to AIIMS-Patna on Sept 28 after sustaining severe head injuries in a fall from the stairs. He remained in the ICU on ventilator support for five days. Following two apnoea tests conducted on Oct 1 and 2, brain-stem death was confirmed as per prescribed medical protocols.“Despite being in deep grief, the family decided to donate the patient’s liver, both kidneys and both corneas and provided written consent,” said Ekta Rani, information, education and communication consultant at SOTTO Bihar.The organ retrieval process began late on Friday night and continued till Saturday morning. The organs were allocated under the prescribed system and transplanted in patients on the waiting list.Bihar’s first deceased-donor organ donation was reported in 2018, followed by cases in 2020 and 2025. The latest donation takes the total to four.Experts attribute the low numbers to limited awareness about brain-stem death and misconceptions about organ donation. “Many people confuse brain death with coma and believe the patient may recover. This is not possible once brain-stem death is confirmed,” Rani said.She added that some families also fear that donating organs could affect the deceased’s rebirth.The latest donation could help address these concerns by demonstrating how one donor can save or restore several lives. With all retrieved organs being used within Bihar, the case also sets an example for families and hospitals, while showcasing the state’s capacity to facilitate deceased-donor transplants locally.The latest donation could help address these concerns by demonstrating how one donor can save or restore several lives. With all retrieved organs being used within Bihar, the case also sets an example for families and hospitals, while showcasing the state’s capacity to facilitate deceased-donor transplants locally.
