A kidney match made in heaven

Mumbai: 40-year-old Dayal Bhanushali was diagnosed with kidney failure and his chances of recovery were slim.

So was 29-year-old Shameen Begum whose inability to find a perfect donor meant that she was running out of luck - and time.

But as fate would have it both landed up in Jaslok Hospital for treatment.

Bhanushali's wife Damayanti and Shameen got talking and realised that Shameen's husband Saeed Mohammed was the perfect match for Bhanushali, while Damayanti's kidney was just right for Shameen.

"My blood group is A and so is Saeed's. My wife's blood group matches with Shameen's," said Dayal Bhanushali.

Shameen Begum meanwhile, is ecstatic. "I feel like I'm born again after three years of suffering."

Top doctors at the hospital conducted four back to back surgeries - two retrievals and two transplants on June 8. A week later all four are on the road to recovery.

Dr. M M Bahadur of Jaslok Hospital says, "Both donors have recovered and have been discharged. Receivers are also recovering."

But the Bhanushalis and Mohammeds would indeed be very lucky if they make it. Two years ago organ recipients in a similar case in Chandigarh lost their lives after their bodies rejected the donated kidneys.

But both families are far from giving up hope and pray that their gesture sets an example in camaraderie for people in both communities.

(With inputs from Abid Naqvi in Mumbai)