National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), the country’s premier centre had its first deceased donor organ retrieval in February 2022. Ms Chaitra K.R, a 26-year-old resident from Kolar district was all set to tie the knot on February 7, 2022. But destiny had other plans for her. During her wedding reception photo shoot, Chaitra collapsed on the stage and was rushed to NIMHANS. Chaitra suffered a brain stroke and all the efforts to save her were futile. On February 11, 2022 doctors at NIMHANS declared Chaitra as brain dead. Amid the tragedy, the bride’s parents consented to donate her organs that saved many lives. Chaitra’s corneas and heart valves were donated and distributed to the transplant centres by Jeevasarthakathe, the State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (SOTTO).

This was the first deceased organ donation from NIMHANS two years after receiving licence to function as a Human Organ Retrieval Centre (HORC). Dr. K. Sudhakar, Hon'ble Minister, Health and Family Welfare, Government of Karnataka said in a tweet, “This is a noble gesture and it should be a role model to everyone.”