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Mumbai, India — In a groundbreaking medical achievement, 15-year-old Anamta Ahmad from Goregaon has made history by becoming the youngest person in the world to successfully undergo a shoulder-level hand transplant. This pioneering procedure, performed at Gleneagles Hospitals, utilized the hand of a 9-year-old brain-dead donor from Surat, marking a significant milestone in transplant medicine in India.
Anamta’s journey has been fraught with challenges. In 2022, a tragic accident while visiting her hometown of Aligarh led to the amputation of her right hand due to severe injuries caused by electrocution. Despite enduring three surgeries and the loss of her hand, Anamta displayed extraordinary resilience, refusing to succumb to despair. She embraced her new reality with determination, returning to school and excelling academically, achieving a remarkable 92% in her Class 10 examinations.
After more than a year of waiting for a suitable donor, Anamta and her family received the life-changing news that a compatible hand was available. Dr. Nilesh G. Satbhai, head of plastic, hand, and reconstructive microsurgery at Gleneagles Hospitals, led the 12-hour surgery. Given the complexity of Anamta’s injury, the surgical team meticulously repaired blood vessels and nerves at a high level beneath the collarbone to ensure the successful integration of the donor hand.
Dr. Satbhai emphasized the critical nature of timely intervention, stating, “The most important factor is to restore the circulation of the donor hand within six hours, so that it survives and functions well, without causing any risk to the recipient. The patient is recovering well and is still in the ICU for observation. She will be on lifelong immunosuppression, and her physiotherapy and rehabilitation will start soon. It usually takes 9-12 months for functional recovery after such proximal transplants.”
Anamta’s father, Aqeel Ahmad, a filmmaker, expressed his immense gratitude to the donor’s family for their generosity, stating, “The loss of my daughter’s right hand was a heart-wrenching experience for our entire family. Her optimism kept us going through this difficult time. After waiting for two long years, we felt it was a miracle when our prayers were answered. We jumped with excitement upon hearing the news that our daughter would get a new hand. She couldn’t hold herself back from crying and heaved a huge sigh of relief.”
As Anamta embarks on her recovery journey, she embodies the spirit of resilience and hope, inspiring many with her determination to reclaim her life and pursue her dreams. This remarkable achievement not only highlights advancements in medical technology but also underscores the profound impact of organ donation on individuals and families.
