Tirunelveli Medical College Hospital Dean assured the family that they would receive the appropriate medical care and announced that a team of doctors would investigate the incident.
Published Aug 26, 2025 | 10:41 PM ⚊ Updated Aug 26, 2025 | 10:41 PM
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Synopsis: A kidney transplant at Tirunelveli Medical College Hospital, in which a father donated his kidney to his son, failed, sparking protests from relatives and local residents. Tirunelveli Medical College Hospital Dean assured the family of appropriate medical care and announced that a team of doctors would investigate the incident.
A failed kidney transplant at Tirunelveli Medical College Hospital, in which a father donated his kidney to his son, sparked protests from relatives and local residents on Monday, 25 August.
39-year-old Mariswaran donated his kidney to his 18-year-old son, Saravanakumar, and the transplant took place on Thursday. However, doctors reported a failure of the transplanted kidney two days later, necessitating its removal on Saturday.
Saravanakumar had been suffering from renal issues for the past six months. Initial tests at a local hospital in Sivakasi confirmed the problem, and he was admitted to a private hospital in Madurai, possibly Velammal Medical College, for further evaluation.
The doctors recommended an immediate kidney transplant. Due to financial constraints, the family decided to move him to Tirunelveli Medical College Hospital for the procedure.
At Tirunelveli Medical College Hospital, the medical team conducted extensive tests with Saravanakumar and his family. Mariswaran’s kidney was deemed suitable for transplantation, and both father and son agreed to go ahead with the surgery.
After the transplant failed, the family faced further distress when hospital staff suggested transferring both father and son to a hospital in Sivakasi, more than 100 km away, for treatment.
This prompted Mariswaran’s mother, K Gomathi, along with members of the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), to stage a protest in front of the administrative block of Tirunelveli Medical College Hospital.
They demanded that both father and son be provided with proper treatment and fresh kidney transplants.
In response to the protest, Tirunelveli Medical College Hospital Dean C Revathy Balan held talks with Gomathi and the VCK district secretary. She assured the family that they would receive the appropriate medical care and announced that a team of doctors would investigate the incident.
Notices were also issued seeking explanations from the doctors who performed the transplant.
The Dean also promised that kidney allocation for both father and son would be provided based on seniority under the Tamil Nadu Transplant Authority, ensuring priority treatment. Following these assurances, the family and VCK members withdrew their protest.
Mariswaran and Saravanakumar continue to receive treatment at Tirunelveli Medical College Hospital.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)
