20 years on, CM Palaniswami felicitates transplant benefactor

Twenty years later, she is a living example of the fact that patients who undergo liver transplantation can also have a normal and fruitful life and can pursue their dreams. 

At the 8th Master Class in Liver Disease (MCLD) 2018, titled ‘Liver Disease & Transplantation – Care of the Critically Ill’, hosted by Gleneagles Global Health City, she was felicitated by Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami. 

While liver transplants are increasingly becoming common, many think, that it reduces the quality of life of an individual. “It is important for people undergoing transplantation and for parents subjecting their children to transplantation to realise that the quality of life is going to be absolutely normal. However, some of them may be unlucky, but most of them do extremely well and Baeben is an example,” said Prof Mohammed Rela, a world-renowned liver transplant surgeon from the city who had performed the surgery on her. 

A law student at Trinity College, Baeben said, “I was born with neo-natal haemachromatosis, a condition which causes a fatal build of iron in the liver. I was rushed to Kings College Hospital, London, where Prof Rela and his team suggested I undergo transplant. Fortunately, a liver was up for transplantation and my surgery was a success.” 

“In 3-4 weeks, I was ready to return home. My parents were worried about how to take care of such a fragile baby, but it wasn’t long before I was able to put on weight and my medication was reduced. In a few months, I was like any other child of my age.” 

Calling out to the public to become donors, Edappadi K Palaniswami, during the event, said, “Donation should become a mass movement. With the availability of a website to allow people to register as donors things are much simpler.” 

Referring to the awards the state has won in the recent past for its transplants, he said, “Tamil Nadu stands as an example to all the other states in this aspect. While government hospitals in the state are performing transplants at no cost, up to Rs 35 lakh is also provided for transplants in private hospitals under the Chief Minister’s extensive healthcare programme,” he added.