For the First Time in PGIMS History, Complete Organ Donation after being Brain Dead: VC Dr. H.K. Agarwal

Rohtak, April 9, 2026: Amidst various forms of charity, giving a new dimension to the true spirit of giving, On Thursday, the family of a 37-year-old man from Bhiwani district performed the ultimate act of benevolence. Following his declaration of brain death, they donated his organs, thereby granting a new lease on life to five individuals and restoring sight to two others. This decision by the young man's family not only bestowed the gift of life upon several patients but also set an inspiring example of humanity for society at large. These remarks were made by Dr. H.K. Agarwal, Vice-Chancellor of the Pt. Bhagwat Dayal Sharma University of Health Sciences, while expressing his gratitude to the young man's family for this noble deed at the Dhanvantari Apex Trauma Center.

Vice-Chancellor Dr. H.K. Agarwal explained that the young man was referred to PGIMS on March 26, where he was admitted to the Trauma Center ICU under the care of the unit led by Dr. A.R. Bansal from the Department of Surgery. Here, under the guidance of Dr. S.K. Singhal, Head of the Department of Anesthesia, Dr. Tarun and his team commenced the patient's treatment. On April 7, Dr. Tarun observed that the patient appeared to be potentially brain-dead; consequently, he immediately alerted the Medical Superintendent, Dr. Kundan Mittal. Acting with immediate effect, Medical Superintendent Dr. Kundan Mittal constituted a medical team comprising Dr. A.R. Bansal, Dr. Tarun, and specialists from the Department of Neurosurgery. This team conducted an initial examination, which confirmed the patient's brain-dead status; a subsequent examination conducted 12 hours later further reaffirmed the diagnosis of brain death.

VC Dr. Agarwal further said that following this, Dr. Sukhbir (Nodal Officer for the State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization), along with Transplant Coordinators Deepti and Rohit, and Dr. Tarun, apprised the family members of the young man's brain-dead condition. They also educated the family regarding the profound significance of organ donation—a "Mahadaan" (supreme act of charity)—in such circumstances. In response, the young man's father and other family members immediately gave their consent for the organ donation.

The Vice-Chancellor said that, although two organ donations have previously taken place in the history of PGIMS, this marks the first instance where “ALL” of the donor's organs have been donated. He explained that, in an effort to save lives, the young man's family members donated his lungs, heart, kidneys, liver, and corneas. Expressing his heartfelt gratitude to the young man's family, Vice-Chancellor Dr. Agarwal remarked that, by facilitating the donation of their son's organs, they have ignited a beacon of awareness regarding organ donation within the state. In recognition of this inspiring act undertaken by the family, 21 security personnel from PGIMS presented a ceremonial salute; meanwhile, students and staff from the Nursing College lined the path from the operating theater to the ambulance, showering flowers to pay their final tributes to the young man.

Director Dr. S.K. Singhal explained that the young man's heart, liver, and lungs were allocated by NOTTO (National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization), Chandigarh, to various hospitals in Delhi. Teams from these three hospitals subsequently arrived to retrieve the organs, transported them back, and successfully transplanted them into patients, thereby granting them a new lease on life.

He further noted that both of the young man's kidneys and corneas were allocated to PGIMS Rohtak, where they were successfully transplanted into local patients. He added that the campaign for organ donation, currently being spearheaded by SOTTO (State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization) within the state, has significantly heightened public awareness regarding the cause.

Medical Superintendent Dr. Kundan Mittal informed that individuals interested in donating their organs may contact Office No. 17—the SOTTO office—located within the Medical Superintendent's premises.

Haryana Health Minister Aarti Rao said that the fact that the end of one life can result in a new life for eight other people constitutes the truest form of charity. She remarked that the family of the 37-year-old donor from Bhiwani district, by facilitating the donation of their son's organs, has taught us the profound value of giving in life. She expressed her deepest gratitude to the young man's family members.

Upon receiving news of the organ donation, Manmohan Bhadana, the MLA from Samalkha, visited the Trauma Center to meet with the young man's family. During his visit, he announced a financial assistance package of ₹500,000 to the family, to be drawn from his own discretionary fund.

Dr. H.K. Agarwal, Vice-Chancellor of Pt. Bhagwat Dayal Sharma University of Health Sciences, expressed his gratitude to the Haryana Police, stating that a team comprising over 100 police personnel—under the leadership of Rohtak SP Gaurav Raj Purohit—played a pivotal role in ensuring the timely transportation of organs to hospitals. For the first time, Green Corridors were established three times in a single day.