Ayesha Rashan, a 19-year-old from Pakistan, has been given a new chance at life through a fully funded heart transplant procedure in Chennai, India.
A Pakistani teenager facing heart failure found a new chance at life when she received a heart transplant from a donor in Delhi across the border.
Ayesha Rashan, a 19-year-old resident of Karachi, Pakistan, underwent a successful heart transplant surgery at Chennai’s MGM Healthcare in late January of this year. She was discharged on April 17. “I feel relieved now,” Rashan expressed to the Times of India, expressing her aspiration to return to Karachi to resume her studies and pursue a career as a fashion designer.
1. Ayesha Rashan Seeks Treatment At The MGM Healthcare Hospital in Chennai
Nineteen-year-old Ayesha Rashan had been battling heart disease for the past ten years. In 2019, she experienced a cardiac arrest and remained unwell for several months, leading her to seek medical treatment in India.
Upon consultation at MGM Healthcare Hospital in Chennai, Ayesha Rashan’s family met with Dr. KR Balakrishnan, Director of the Institute of Heart and Lung Transplant, and Dr. Suresh Rao, Co-Director. The medical team advised that a heart transplant was necessary as Ayesha’s heart pump had developed a leak, and she was placed on an Extra Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) procedure. In an effort to sustain her while awaiting a transplant, doctors also implanted a left ventricular assist heart device to aid in blood pumping.
The doctors who installed the heart pump in India had to be constantly in touch with the patient’s physicians in Pakistan as they did not have the facilities to monitor the pump.
2. Her Mother’s Gratitude Towards The Indian Doctors Who Asked Her To Not Worry About Finances & Just Come To India
Ayesha flew back home after the procedure, but in 2023, her health declined as her heart started malfunctioning on the right side, necessitating a heart transplant. Additionally, Ayesha’s heart pump had developed a leak. “It was terrible to see my daughter’s suffering,” remembered her mother, Sanobar. “We contacted the surgeon and explained our financial situation, but he asked us to come to India.”
Ayesha’s mother, Sanobar, a single parent, expressed gratitude to the doctors who treated her daughter, stating, “It’s unbelievable how much they helped us.” Despite her worries and hesitations due to their inability to afford the approximately Rs 35 lakh required for the transplant process, she shared how Dr. Bala always reassured her. He encouraged her to come to India, assuring her that they would take care of everything. Sanobar also mentioned how she and her entire family sent countless prayers to the doctors.
3. Ayesha Rashan Received A Life Saving Heart Transplant In India On Jan 31st
Six months ago, Ayesha Rashan received a heart from Delhi, and the transplant surgery was performed free of charge at MGM Healthcare after her 18-month stay in the country. The procedure took place on January 31, with Ayesha being discharged on April 17.
4. Who Ended Up Covering The Cost Of The Operation?
Ayesha’s medical bills were covered by the NGO Aishwaryam Trust, associated with MGM Healthcare Hospital, as well as donations from the doctors, particularly Dr. R K Bala’s personal finances, and contributions from a few other patients who helped fund the entire operation. However, the surgery was completely free for Ayesha.
5. Chilling Details About Her Heart Transplant!
Rashan received the heart of a 69-year-old donor from Delhi. The doctor revealed that initially, the heart was too large for Ayesha. In a chilling detail, he explained that her chest had to remain open for almost 10 days. Despite this challenging start, she made a slow but steady recovery and is now prepared to return home.
While it can often be challenging for foreign nationals to secure donor organs, Ayesha’s family was luckily able to proceed without competition for the organ.
