Mumbai: Thirteen-year-old Khansa Rahim Sayyed from Jalna, Maharashtra, received a new lease on life following a successful heart transplant at Fortis Hospital, Mulund. The life-saving surgery was made possible after the family of a 25-year-old brain-dead patient generously consented to donate his organs—marking Maharashtra’s 85th organ donation of the year.
Thirteen-year-old Khansa’s Seven-Month Wait Ends in Hope
The pediatric cardiology team at Fortis Hospital, Mulund, performed the transplant on July 18, 2025. Khansa had been battling Dilated Cardiomyopathy, a severe condition that causes the heart to enlarge and weaken, reducing its ability to pump blood efficiently. Diagnosed in January 2025, Khansa endured months of fatigue, breathlessness, poor appetite, and repeated hospitalizations. Her symptoms eventually forced her to stop attending school and limited her ability to carry out daily activities.
Despite receiving optimized medical treatment under Dr. Snehal Kulkarni, Director of Pediatric Cardiology at Fortis Hospital, Mulund—who was monitoring her condition through the hospital’s Jalna OPD—Khansa showed little improvement.
“My daughter fell sick after attending the Independence Day parade in 2024. We initially thought it was just exhaustion,” said her mother, Rubina Sayyed. “She had always been physically weak and had battled a severe cold a few years ago, but we never imagined it was her heart. When the doctors told us how serious her condition was, we were devastated. She was listed for a transplant in January 2025, and the seven-month wait for a donor was filled with anxiety and fear.”
Commenting on the transplant, Dr. Swati Garekar, Senior Consultant, Pediatric Cardiology, Fortis Hospital Mulund, said, “With her new heart, Khansa has the chance to live a normal life. She will require life-long anti-rejection medication and regular follow-ups. Unfortunately, many children with end-stage heart failure who could benefit from a transplant remain unaware or undiagnosed.”
Road Accident Victim Becomes Life-Saving Donor
The breakthrough came when a 25-year-old man—declared brain-dead following a road traffic accident and traumatic brain injury at a hospital in Pune—was identified as a suitable donor. His heart was transported to Fortis Hospital, Mulund, covering a distance of 140 km in 1 hour and 54 minutes. The transplant was successfully performed on July 18, 2025.
Doctors Hail Recovery, Urge Awareness
Dr. Vishal Beri, Facility Director, Fortis Hospital Mulund, said, “This transplant showcases the dedication and expertise of our clinical team. We are immensely thankful to the Zonal Transplant Coordination Centre (ZTCC) and the donor’s family. Khansa’s recovery highlights the life-changing impact of organ donation, timely coordination, and medical excellence. We remain committed to giving more patients a second chance through our transplant program.”
