Chandigarh, 30 October 2024: In a remarkable case at Chandigarh’s Postgraduate Institute of Medical and Educational Research (PGIMER), a two-year-old Kenyan boy, Lunda Kayumba—affectionately called Prosper—has become India’s youngest pancreatic donor.
According to inputs, his organs have provided new hope to two patients with terminal kidney conditions. One patient received a simultaneous pancreas and kidney (SPK) transplant, while the other benefited from a kidney transplant.
Prosper arrived at PGIMER on October 17 after suffering a severe fall at his home in Kenya. Despite exhaustive efforts by the medical team, he was declared brain-dead on October 26. His family, transforming their grief into an act of compassion, chose to donate his organs, marking Prosper as the youngest pancreatic donor in India.
“Our hearts are broken, but we find comfort knowing that Prosper’s organs will help others in pain,” said his mother, Jackline Diary. “This is our way of keeping his spirit alive and bringing hope to those suffering.” With the family’s decision and authorization from the Kenya High Commission, PGIMER’s team proceeded with the transplants.
In addition to the kidney and pancreas transplants, Prosper’s corneas were also donated, restoring vision to two visually impaired individuals. Altogether, his donations have touched four lives.
Dr. Ashish Sharma, head of PGIMER’s renal transplant surgery department, explained the intricacies of the case. “Transplants from such young donors are challenging due to the small size of the organs, and performing a combined pancreas transplant adds to the complexity,” he said, highlighting the expertise required for such delicate procedures.
