Mohammad Abrar is a young man whose life has been a testament to courage and resilience. As a child, he was stricken with polio, leaving him physically challenged. Despite needing a crutch to walk, Mohammad remained active, running his shop and maintaining a vibrant social and personal life. However, his determination faced a new challenge when he was diagnosed with hepatitis B, a serious liver infection.
Recently, Mohammad’s condition took a turn for the worse. Even though he had just started on medication for hepatitis B, his liver was already severely damaged. He developed liver cirrhosis, a condition where the liver is scarred and unable to function properly. The symptoms were alarming—jaundice, a buildup of fluid in his abdomen (ascites), and internal bleeding.
With his health deteriorating rapidly, Mohammad was taken to Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in Delhi, where he consulted with Dr. (Prof) Anil Arora, the Chairman of Medical Gastroenterology. Dr. Arora evaluated his condition thoroughly and recommended an immediate liver transplant, as this was the only option to save Mohammad’s life.
Despite his physical challenges, Mohammad had been leading an active life. However, the worsening liver disease brought his world to a halt. He had to be hospitalized multiple times for procedures, including draining excess fluid from his abdomen. One day, while at the hospital, he experienced severe internal bleeding. Fortunately, Dr. Arora and his team acted swiftly, performing an urgent endoscopy to stop the bleeding and stabilize his condition.
Realizing the severity of Mohammad’s situation, Dr. Arora sought the expertise of Dr. Ushaht Dhir, Chairman and Director of Liver Transplant and Hepatobiliary Surgery. Dr. Dhir assessed Mohammad for a liver transplant but found complications due to his advanced cirrhosis. The long-standing liver disease had also affected Mohammad’s lungs and heart, making it even more challenging to proceed with the surgery.
Despite these complications, Dr. Dhir and his team decided to move forward with the transplant. The surgery was particularly challenging because of Mohammad’s physical limitations. His polio-affected right leg had a contracture, meaning it couldn’t be straightened, which made positioning for the surgery difficult. Moreover, the condition of his lungs made it hard for him to maintain proper oxygen levels during the procedure.
Undeterred by these challenges, Dr. Dhir precisely carried out the surgery. The operation was a success, and after a gradual recovery, Mohammad was discharged from the hospital just 15 days later.
Today, Mohammad is back to living a healthy, active life. He has resumed running his shop, which is his livelihood, and has returned to his social commitments. After a long time, he was able to celebrate Eid with his loved ones, something he hadn’t been able to do due to his illness.
Mohammad is deeply grateful to the entire medical team at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital for their dedication and care. He also expresses his heartfelt thanks to the family of the young donor whose selfless decision to donate organs saved his life and brought hope to many others.
