Jaslok Hospital in Mumbai has announced the beginning of a ‘heart transplant’ programme

Jaslok Hospital & Research Centre, one of Mumbai’s major hospitals, has announced the commencement of a ‘Heart transplant’ programme and division at its Mumbai location. The initiative will be directed by Dr. K R Balakrishnan, a famous cardiac surgeon and pioneer in the field of heart transplants in the nation. Jaslok Hospital will collaborate with MGM Hospital in Chennai to bring this concept to life in a first-of-its-kind cooperation. According to official data, the city has witnessed a total of 163 heart transplants in the previous five years.

Speaking on the occasion Jitendra Haryan, CEO Jaslok Hospital said, “We are thrilled to be expanding our transplant services and offerings to include heart transplants as well. Dr. K R Balakrishnan is a well-known cardiac surgeon in the country, and we are happy to bring his services and expertise to our patients in Mumbai and the larger western region. It is heartening to see the increase in the number of organ donations that happen in the city giving a new lease of life to many. ”

While the program will be led by Dr. K R Balakrishnan, he will be supported by the prestigious cardiac surgeons and cardiologists’ team at Jaslok Hospital. The programme will provide outstanding quality and outcome, comprehensive support services, easily accessible care, team consisting of transplant surgeons, critical care experts, infectious diseases Consultants, specially trained support nursing & other paramedical staff for ICU and wards, liaison officers, transplant coordinators, dedicated beds in ICU,cardiac rehab, and specialized post op care.

Dr. K R Balakrishnan is known as the pioneer of heart transplants in the country. A graduate of KEM Hospital, University of Bombay, he is one of the most awarded healthcare practitioners, who is known for his work in end-stage heart failure management, pediatric cardiac transplants and liver and heart transplants. In a career spanning more than 30 years, he has successfully performed over 329 transplants in the country.

MGM Healthcare CEO, Harish Manian said, “MGM Healthcare Chennai is very happy to associate with Jaslok Hospital Mumbai to provide Heart & Lung Transplant service under the leadership of Dr. K R Balakrishnan and team. The association with Jaslok is strategic in nature, which will help knowledge sharing and on-site transplant support from the team of experts from MGM Healthcare Chennai. Dr. K R Balakrishnan and team will be having a dedicated Heart Failure Clinic to evaluate the patients. This association also strengthens our relationship with Jaslok Hospital and enhances our commitment to get closer to our patients in Western India.”

As per recent estimates, heart disease is the number one cause of mortality and a silent epidemic among Indians. Data from Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) indicates that around 90 people die because of heart attacks every day in the city. All the speakers at the event stressed on the importance of organ donation to make any transplant programme successful and urged people to donate their organs.

The launch event was presided by dignitaries such as Dr. S K Mathur, President ZTCC, Dr. Suresh Rao, Cardiologist, MGM Hospital Chennai, Dr. A B Mehta, Director Cardiology Dr. Hemant Pathare, Additional Director of Heart & Lung transplant at Jaslok Hospital, along with others from the Jaslok Hospital team.