Rare Transplant Frees Kolkata Youth from 20 Years of Insulin
A 25-year-old college student from Kolkata, Rishi Sharma, who had lived with Type-1 diabetes since early childhood, is now insulin-free after undergoing a simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplant in Mumbai. The uncommon surgery was performed two months ago at Nanavati Max Super Speciality Hospital in Vile Parle and has given Sharma a new lease on life.
Years of Struggles with Diabetes and Kidney Failure
Diagnosed with Type-1 diabetes at the age of three, Sharma became dependent on daily insulin injections by the time he was five. Over the years, uncontrolled diabetes has led to severe complications such as eye damage and poor growth.
Three years ago, his health worsened further when he developed end-stage kidney failure. This forced him to undergo regular dialysis sessions along with his insulin treatment. Despite these efforts, his condition kept deteriorating. After thorough evaluations, doctors concluded that his only chance of survival was a simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplant.
Why This Surgery Matters
According to Dr. Gaurav Chaubal, Director of Liver and Multi-Organ Transplant at Nanavati Max Hospital, patients with both Type-1 diabetes and kidney failure face a drastically shortened life span. While a kidney transplant alone can replace the failing organ, it does not address the root cause of insulin deficiency.
“Only a pancreas transplant can truly reverse diabetes and eliminate the need for lifelong insulin,” Dr. Chaubal explained. When performed together with a kidney transplant, it not only restores kidney function but also gives patients the ability to produce insulin naturally.
A Rare and Complex Procedure in India
Doctors highlight that an SPK transplant is one of the most complex operations in organ transplantation. It requires high surgical precision to connect blood vessels and carefully manage the risk of rejection.
Such procedures remain rare in India due to limited organ donations, stringent eligibility criteria, and the high level of expertise required. Data from the Zonal Transplant Coordination Centre shows that since 2019, only 14 such operations have been carried out in Mumbai. Across the country, simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplants account for barely 1–2% of all kidney transplants.
The Turning Point: A Donor’s Gift
Sharma’s life changed when a 41-year-old patient at Nanavati Max Hospital was declared brain-dead after suffering internal bleeding in the skull. With the family’s consent, his organs, including the pancreas, kidneys, liver, and heart, were donated. Sharma turned out to be an ideal recipient for both the pancreas and kidneys.
Unlike a standard kidney transplant, this dual surgery not only saved his life but also freed him from the burden of insulin injections. As Dr. Jatin Kothari, Senior Director of Nephrology at Nanavati Max, explained, “We treated not just kidney failure but also the underlying metabolic defect. This protects him from future diabetes-related complications involving the eyes, heart, and nerves.”
Conclusion
Sharma spent 21 days under close monitoring after surgery before being discharged. Today, he has returned to Kolkata and, for the first time in over 20 years, is living completely free from insulin injections.
His case highlights the life-changing potential of a simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplant, though such opportunities remain rare in India. It also underscores the importance of organ donation in saving and transforming lives.
Source:Â Inputs from various media SourcesÂ
I’m a pharmacist with a strong background in health sciences. I hold a BSc from Delhi University and a pharmacy degree from PDM University. I write articles and daily health news while interviewing doctors to bring you the latest insights. In my free time, you’ll find me at the gym or lost in a sci-fi novel.
- Health News and Updates,People Forum
- 26 August 2025
- 09:00
