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Wednesday 24 July 2013

Blind man gifts kidney to breadwinner brother

Usman Akbani recuperates at Hinduja hospital on Tuesday. Also seen in the picture are donor Qadar and Dr Jatin Kothari
Usman Akbani recuperates at Hinduja hospital on Tuesday. Also seen in the picture are donor Qadar and Dr Jatin Kothari 

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Usman Akbani, 45, a patient of chronic kidney failure who was on dialysis for the last three years , has reason to smile. Last week, his visually-challenged brother donated him a kidney, putting an end to the dialysis treatment.


The father of two developed kidney failure due to hypertension. Usman said he never imagined that his brothers – both of who are blind since birth – could donate kidneys to him. Doctors too say it is rare to find a person who is blind since birth as a kidney donor.



Usman, the breadwinner of the family, has been taking care of his brothers – Qadar, 43 and Phiroz, 41. The Jalgaon-based family approached Hinduja hospital in Mahim for a transplant procedure. After the mandatory tests for a transplant, Qadar, who has the same blood group as Usman, was found to be a suitable donor.



However, considering Qadar’s physical challenge, it was mandatory to get a fitness certificate from the ophthalmologist. This was followed by legal procedures to go ahead with the transplant.



The recipient and donor are doing well. While Qadar is already discharged from the hospital and within a few days Usman will be back home. Most of the transplant expenses have been supported by charity organisations and the Hinduja trust.



Consultant nephrologist (kidney specialist) Dr Jatin Kothari at Hindjua hospital said that in his career, he had never seen a blind person donate a kidney to a loved one. “The transplant was routine but for getting all clearances for the medical fitness as the donor has blindness since birth,” said Dr Kothari. As the donor and recipient are related, the legal formalities were smooth and quick.



Prior to the transplant, Usman’s serum creatinine (the extent of kidney damage) was 11 mg% as against the normal 1mg %. After the transplant, it is 1.2 mg%, said Dr Kothari.



“I’m very thankful to my brother who has given me a second life,” said Usman.



Qadar, however, feels he has only helped his brother who has been looking after him. “We are blind since birth and he is theo ne who has been taking care of us since then,” he said.



Source : DNA , 17th July 2013 

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