Kodagu Road Accident Victim Gives Hope to 6 Children Through Karnataka’s First Bone Donation

Eshwara succumbed to severe head injuries sustained in a road accident despite intensive care at Nitte University Hospital.

Mangaluru/Somwarpet: In a groundbreaking act of altruism, the family of Eshwara N., a 32-year-old resident of Jamboor village in Somwarpet, Kodagu, has set an inspiring example of life-enhancing organ donation. Eshwara succumbed to severe head injuries sustained in a road accident despite intensive care at Nitte University Hospital. Following his passing on Sunday, his sister made the noble decision to donate his bones, a gesture that could save the limbs of six children battling cancer.

This cadaveric bone donation, facilitated by the Justice K.S. Hegde Medical Academy, is reportedly the first of its kind in Karnataka. The process was overseen by the Prof. M. Shantharam Shetty Tissue Bank at Nitte (Deemed to be University). The donation became possible after transplant coordinator Akshatha Shetty provided counselling and obtained necessary permissions from the police and Eshwara’s next of kin, given the medico-legal nature of the case.

A surgical team led by Dr. Vikram Shetty, Professor and Head of Orthopaedics and Founding Medical Director of the Tissue Bank, conducted the bone extraction in sterile conditions. He was supported by Dr. Varun Shetty, Medical Director of the Tissue Bank, and Dr. Shridish Nambiar. The extracted bones were preserved, and plastic bone substitutes were inserted in their place.

Dr. Varun Shetty emphasised the transformative impact of the donation, explaining that the preserved bones would be used in limb-saving surgeries for children affected by cancer. Without this intervention, many of these children would face the devastating prospect of amputation.

“This donation offers new hope for young cancer patients,” said Dr. Varun Shetty. “The ability to save limbs not only transforms the physical lives of recipients but also restores their confidence and dignity.”

Medical Superintendent Dr. Sumalatha Shetty expressed profound gratitude to Eshwara’s family for their selfless act and praised the dedication of the medical team. “This act of donation is a testament to the immense power of human kindness. It not only saves lives but significantly enhances the quality of life for recipients of these tissues,” she said.

This pioneering initiative marks a milestone in Karnataka’s medical history and underscores the importance of organ and tissue donation.

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