A donor heart was transported from PGIMS Rohtak to Fortis Escorts in Delhi's Okhla via a green corridor, covering 98 km in 85 minutes on January 31, 2026, enabling a critical transplant for a patient in urgent need.
The 26-year-old recipient suffered from advanced Dilated Cardiomyopathy, a severe condition characterised by decreased heart pumping ability due to an enlarged, weakened heart muscle. With limited treatment options, a heart transplant was necessary for survival.
The donor, a 37-year-old man found unconscious on the roadside, was taken to PGIMS Rohtak where he was diagnosed with an intracranial haemorrhage after a CT scan. Despite medical efforts, he was declared brain dead. His family consented to organ donation, allowing multiple transplants to proceed.
The organ retrieval began at 2:20 pm, and the heart was transported under a green corridor jointly organised by the Delhi Police and Rohtak Police. The ambulance departed PGIMS Rohtak at 2:50 pm and arrived at Fortis Escorts, Okhla, at 4:15 pm, ensuring the heart remained viable within the critical period.
The transplant was successfully conducted by the cardiac team at Fortis Escorts. The recipient is currently under close ICU observation and on ventilator support.
Other harvested organs were allocated according to established protocols: lungs sent to Artemis Hospital, Gurugram; liver and pancreas to AIIMS, New Delhi; and kidneys and corneas retained at PGIMS Rohtak.
Dr Z S Meherwal, Chairman, Adult CTVS, Fortis Escorts, Okhla, stated, “This case highlights the importance of precise coordination and timely organ transport in ensuring successful heart transplants. The seamless collaboration between the medical teams and law enforcement authorities played a crucial role in preserving the viability of the donor heart.”
Vishal Rastogi, Director of Cardiology, Fortis Escorts, Okhla, said, “Heart transplantation remains the most definitive treatment for patients with advanced Dilated Cardiomyopathy. This successful procedure offers renewed hope, and we are closely monitoring the patient’s recovery. We are deeply grateful to the donor’s family for their selfless decision, which has made this life-saving intervention possible.”
Vikram Aggarwal, Facility Director, Fortis Escorts, Okhla Road, added, “This life-saving heart transplant is a testament to the power of seamless coordination, clinical excellence, and the spirit of organ donation. We sincerely acknowledge and thank the Delhi Police, Rohtak Police, and all concerned authorities for swiftly facilitating the green corridor, enabling the timely and safe transport of the donor heart within the critical window. The collaborative efforts of multiple teams were instrumental in making this intervention possible. At Fortis Escorts, Okhla, we remain committed to strengthening such integrated systems to deliver timely, life-saving care. We are deeply grateful to the donor’s family for their extraordinary generosity, which has given a patient a second chance at life.”