Kuttanad: Leena Balakrishnan owes her life to brother Rajesh, who donated a part of his liver to her. However, both Leena’s and Rajesh’s families are now staring at a severe financial crisis.
It was on January 27 this year that Leena of Noottinalpathil Chira, Chennankary was admitted to Kottayam Medical College Hospital after she suffered from constant vomiting. However, her liver soon became dysfunctional and Leena was shifted to the ventilator in a private hospital. Doctors there said that a liver transplant was the only option left and Rajesh expressed his willingness to donate a portion of his liver to Leena.
The transplant surgery took place on January 30, after which Rajesh was asked to take total rest for six months by doctors. A daily wager, he is now confined to his house at Tharamassery, Ponga in Nedumudy, along with his wife and daughter.
Meanwhile, Leena’s transplanted liver started functioning normally and on being discharged from hospital, she reached home on April 7. The total expenses for the transplant came to around Rs 25 lakh which was collected by borrowing money and receiving donations from kind people.
Leena’s husband Balakrishnan is a police officer. He is now an ASI at Pulinkunnu police station but would retire from service by May-end. The family hopes to repay some of the borrowed money with retirement benefits of Balakrishnan. However, they are anxious about finding money for Leena’s further treatment and for the children’s studies.