A life in ICU...needs a Signature first

KOCHI: There is enough money, and a liver ready! But the 17 year old Swathi Krishna, her family and ‘known’ and ‘unknown’ friends are waiting for a signature which would ensure an elixir for her life—The signature of Secretary, Health Department.


Swathy Krishna has been in an unconscious state at the intensive care unit in Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre for the past five days and five nights. A Plus-Two student at MKM Higher Secondary School in Piravom, Swathy has been admitted for curing liver disease.


Her liver has stopped its functioning. The only way in front was to go for a liver transplant the cost of which amounts to Rs 20 lakhs.


The problem of money was sorted out, thanks to the kindness and generosity showered by her school teachers, friends, and a sea of friends from facebook who she has never seen or heard. An amount of Rs 7 lakh was collected by her relatives, friends, neighbours, and teachers. Her bank account was flooded with another 2 lakh rupees by Facebook friends.


A donor was found in Swathy’s mother Raji. But because she is a heart patient, doctors discouraged her. Swathy’s aunt is willing to give her liver. Now, Swathy has to only undergo a surgery. And here lies the big dilemma.


As a matter of fact, Swathy hails from Edaikkattuval in Ernakulam district while her aunt from Idukki district. Legal steps, beginning from the level of village office to police station, should be completed by the concerned authorities of the two districts.


As per the rules of organ donation, organs should be donated only by first relations i.e., parents or siblings. Even if the donor is a distant relative, there are several obstacles which actually take at least one month’s time. Several letters of consent should be furnished which should be approved by a special panel of health department. Besides, as a final step a signature of Secretary of Health Department should also be gotten. Moreover, the donor and the recipient should be present before the panel. Such legal procedures would not be a hurdle for kidney transplantation, but for liver transplantation.


Swathy’s liver needed to be transplanted at the earliest. Her father Krishnankutty and mother Raji on Wednesday met Chief Minister Oommen Chandy at his residence.


In order to take a decision, a special meeting will be held today at Kottayam under the leadership of Alappuzha Medical Principal. If the panel gives permission, a team will head to Thiruvananthapuram for winning the signature of Secretary, Health Department.


Everyone either close to Swathy or aware of her pathetic condition is beseeching the almighty for regaining her life, and gaining his signature.