Pune:
In a shining example of compassionate public healthcare, Sassoon General Hospital has successfully performed its 33rd kidney transplant surgery—this time for just ₹1 lakh, compared to the ₹15–17 lakh typically charged by private hospitals.
The patient, a 37-year-old Karvenagar resident, had been suffering from kidney failure since 2017 and had been dependent on dialysis for survival. Unable to afford private hospital rates, the man’s situation worsened after he lost his job in 2023 due to his health, pushing his family to the brink of poverty.
Hospital Steps In With Hope and Help
The family’s fortunes turned when friends informed them about Sassoon Hospital’s affordable transplant program. They met with Satyavan Survase, superintendent of social services, who offered both emotional counseling and logistical support. Survase encouraged the family to consider a living donation, and the patient’s mother and two sisters came forward as potential donors.
After thorough evaluations, nephrologist Dr. Sandip Morkhandikar recommended the mother as the most suitable donor. The proposal was submitted and approved by the Regional Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation, enabling the transplant to proceed on May 15.
₹14 Lakh Raised by Social Organisations
The full cost of the transplant—₹15 lakh—was covered through contributions from multiple charitable organisations, including:
- Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF)
- Oswal Brother Society, Pune
- Mukul-Madhav Foundation, Pune
- Tata Trust, Mumbai
- Rambha Charitable Trust, Pune
“The family only had to bear ₹1 lakh, thanks to these generous contributions,” said Dr. Yallapa Jadhav, hospital superintendent.
Call to the Needy: Help Is Available
“We invite all poor and needy individuals in need of liver or kidney transplants to approach our social services department,” said Dr. Eknath Pawar, Dean of Sassoon Hospital. Interested families can visit the hospital between 2 pm and 4 pm on Thursdays for assistance.
This successful transplant underscores the hospital’s mission to provide life-saving care to the underprivileged, transforming lives without pushing families into financial ruin.
