17/05/2015
‘An Afghan Muslim patient receiving hands of an Indian Christian in a surgery led by a Hindu doctor’ – Media reports on the both hand transplant surgery on Abdul Rahim, a 30-year-old from Afghanistan, on April 10 at Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences (AIMS), Kochi. As doctors, we have always known that religion, nationality and all other divisions are irrelevant when providing care to the needy.
Abdul Rahim lost his hands three years ago while trying to defuse mines as part of his duties with the Afghanistan Border Security Force. He is now eager to get back to work, saving lives. The transplant was carried out in a marathon surgical feat lasting 15 hours with more than 20 surgeons and eight anesthetists participating in the procedure. Plastic surgeon Dr Subramania Iyer, who led the surgery is a CMC Alumnus. He did his MCh in Plastic Surgery at Government Medical College Kozhikode. His team of doctors includes many more Calicut Alumni like Dr.Sandeep Vijayaraghavan & Dr. Jimmy Mathews. This is the second successful both hand transplant surgery by the team. We the CMC Alumni are proud of you!
