KOCHI: Mathew Achadan, who underwent a heart transplant at Lisie Hospital here recently, was discharged from hospital on Wednesday.
Doctors at the hospital had performed a heart transplant surgery on Achadan in July.
The heart was harvested from a donor in Thiruvananthapuram and was airlifted to Kochi. Since then, Achadan has been under observation at the hospital.
At a function organised at the hospital on Wednesday, Achadan said he was thankful to the family of the donor, Neelakanta Sarma, and all those who prayed for him. The function was inaugurated by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy.
Achadan will be examined periodically until his condition becomes stable. “Regular examination should be conducted, and he will be able to resume normal life soon,” said Dr Jose Chacko Periappuram, the cardiothoracic surgeon who led the surgery.
After discharge, 47-year-old Mathew Achadan, an autorickshaw driver hailing from Pariyaram in Chalakudy, and his wife Bindu will be staying in a flat near the hospital. They have decided not to live in their home, considering the threat posed to Achadan’s health by the polluted surroundings.
“The heart transplantation surgery was a great success, and a milestone in the State’s healthcare sector. Discussions are on to arrange permanent air ambulance service,” said the Chief Minister.
Minister K Babu; MLAs Hibi Eden and Benny Behannan; District Collector M G Rajamanickam; hospital director Thomas Vaikathuparambil; Dr Rony Mathew; Dr Jacob Abraham; and assistant director Varghese Palatty, among others, were also present.