A Pakistani teenager named Ayesha Rashan got a second chance at life thanks to a heart transplant in India.
Ayesha’s heart problems started back in 2019 when she suffered a cardiac arrest. Doctors in Pakistan recommended a heart transplant, but Ayesha had to wait on a list for a donor’s heart.
While waiting, Ayesha’s condition worsened. In 2023, the right side of her heart also began to fail, and she developed an infection. Her mother, Sanober Rashan, was heartbroken to see her daughter suffer. They contacted the doctor who had first recommended the transplant, even though they couldn’t afford the surgery.
The doctor in India, Dr. KR Balakrishnan, understood Ayesha’s critical situation and offered them hope. In September 2023, they determined a heart transplant was her only option. Luckily, a donor heart became available in January 2024. However, there was a challenge – the donor was 69 years old. Many surgeons were hesitant because of the age difference.
But Dr. KG Suresh Rao, a doctor at the hospital, knew this might be Ayesha’s only chance. He explained that the donor’s heart was in good condition, and they decided to take the risk. The surgery was successful, and Ayesha was eventually taken off life support.
Ayesha’s journey to recovery wasn’t easy. Doctors explained she needed various forms of life support before the transplant due to her heart’s severe dysfunction. The surgery itself went well, but the cost was a huge hurdle for the family.
Thankfully, an NGO called the Aishwarya Trust, along with past patients and medical professionals, stepped in to help cover the cost of the transplant, which can be very expensive in India. With her health stable and the bills paid, Ayesha was finally able to return home to Pakistan in April 2024. This story highlights the incredible teamwork between doctors, a supportive NGO, and the generosity of strangers who saved a young girl’s life.