65-Year-Old Male Donor Undergoes Successful Living Kidney Transplant for Spouse

Mumbai: In a touching story that redefines love and partnership, a 65-year-old husband donated his kidney to save his 60-year-old diabetic wife - breaking one of India’s most deep-rooted patterns in organ donation. The successful transplant was carried out by Dr Nikhil Bhasin, Consultant Nephrologist, and his team.

In India, nearly 80% of living kidney donations come from women, most often wives or mothers donating to male relatives. Male-to-female donations account for barely 15–20%, making this case not just rare but deeply symbolic.

“This was our second male-to-female kidney transplant, a strong message that age or gender should never limit the will to save a loved one,” said Dr Bhasin. “It’s also proof that transplants can be safe and successful even at an older age when done with proper preparation.”

When the wife first arrived at the hospital, her haemoglobin was just 8 g/dL. Following Dr Bhasin’s protocol, which avoids pre-transplant blood transfusions to reduce rejection risk, her haemoglobin was raised to 10 g/dL naturally within three weeks.

The transplant surgery went smoothly, and neither donor nor recipient required any blood transfusion. The husband, despite being 65, recovered quickly and was discharged on post-operative day 4, while his wife followed on day 6.

“The couple’s determination was extraordinary,” Dr Bhasin added. “The husband was eager to donate, and the wife was equally motivated to recover. Their teamwork and trust made the medical journey seamless.”

The case stands as a beacon of hope, proving that organ donation is not about age or gender, but about love and courage. In a country where women form the majority of donors, this story beautifully reminds us that sometimes, the greatest gift of life comes from those who refuse to follow convention.