Devaprayag Becomes a Lifeline in Death; Organs of Nine-Year-Old Donated

Thiruvananthapuram: The organs of nine-year-old Devaprayag, who was declared brain-dead after sustaining severe injuries in a road accident while returning from the Sabarimala pilgrimage, were donated, offering a new lease of life to several patients.

Devaprayag was the son of Bichuchandran and C.M. Akhila of Thirumala in Thiruvananthapuram. The accident occurred on December 15 at Nilamel in Kollam district, when a car carrying Sabarimala pilgrims collided with a KSRTC bus around 6.30 am. Devaprayag’s father, Bichuchandran, and his friend Satheesh Venugopal died on the spot.

Devaprayag sustained critical injuries and was initially admitted to a private hospital in Venjaramoodu. As his condition remained serious, he was later shifted to a private hospital in Thiruvananthapuram. Brain death was confirmed on December 18, after which the family consented to donate five of his organs — one kidney, the liver, a heart valve and two corneas.

The kidney and liver were transplanted to a patient at a private hospital in Thiruvananthapuram. The corneas were donated to patients at the Regional Institute of Ophthalmology in the city, while the heart valve was given to a patient at the Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology.

Health Minister Veena George paid tributes to Devaprayag and conveyed her condolences to the bereaved family.

Devaprayag was a Class III student of Shantiniketan School in Thiruvananthapuram. His mother, C.M. Akhila, works at the RTO office in the district collectorate.