Media Release

Mangaluru, Mar 4: On March 1, a successful multi-organ donation was carried out at Father Muller Medical College Hospital, Mangaluru, following the declaration of brain death of Dayakar Kotian (65). A gratitude ceremony was held on March 3, at the director’s secretariat by director, Father Muller Charitable Institutions, Fr Faustine Lucas Lobo, to honour the family of the deceased.

Kotian, originally from Bajpe, Mangaluru, and residing in Kolar, sustained severe injuries in a road traffic accident on February 22, at Malur, Kolar. He was subsequently transferred to Father Muller Medical College Hospital for advanced neurosurgical and critical care management under the supervision of Dr C K Ballal, senior consultant neurosurgeon, along with the critical care and intensive care teams.

Despite comprehensive medical intervention, Kotian was declared brain dead following mandatory clinical examinations and apnea tests conducted in accordance with established medical and legal protocols. The brain death certification was completed by the duly constituted Brain Death Committee.

The patient’s family was counselled regarding the option of organ donation by the transplant coordination team and the medical team. With remarkable generosity and compassion, the donor’s wife, Surekha, his brother Keshav Poojary, and other family members provided full consent for organ donation.

The State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (SOTTO – Jeevasarthakathe) was informed, and organ allocation was carried out as per state guidelines.

Following the completion of all medico-legal formalities under the jurisdiction of the East Traffic Police Station, Kadri, organ retrieval commenced at 2:00 pm on March 1.

The organs were allocated as follows:

The left kidney was allocated to Kasturba Hospital, Manipal; the right kidney was allocated to N U Hospital, Shivamogga; skin was harvested at Father Muller Medical College Hospital; and corneas were retrieved at Father Muller Medical College Hospital.

The post-mortem examination was conducted by the department of forensic medicine at Father Muller Medical College Hospital in accordance with legal requirements. After completion of all procedures, the mortal remains were respectfully handed over to the family at 6:00 pm.

As a token of appreciation for the heroism shown by the family, the director of FMCI, Fr Faustine Lucas Lobo, honoured Surekha and her family in a separate meeting, highlighting the noble act of donation that provided renewed hope and life to multiple recipients. The hospital administration expressed its deepest gratitude to the donor’s family for their extraordinary generosity during a moment of profound personal loss.

On behalf of the family, Keshava, brother of the deceased, prayed that his brother’s legacy would be carried forward through the new lives of those receiving the organs. He praised his sister-in-law’s courage in consenting to the donation at a time of her husband’s loss. He also expressed appreciation for the kindness and generosity of the staff of Father Muller Hospital for being a cradle of care and compassion for his brother and the extended family.

Fr George Jeevan Sequeira, administrator, FMMC, and Dr Uday Kumar, medical superintendent, FMMCH, were present during the gratitude ceremony held later.

Father Muller Medical College Hospital reiterated its commitment to promoting awareness about organ donation and encouraged the public to consider pledging their organs to help save lives.