Kerala priest donates kidney to Muslim woman, saves her life

Kochi: A clergyman in Kerala has donated his kidney to a Muslim woman who was suffering from kidney ailments for the last four years and saved her life, hospital authorities said on Wednesday.

The 39-year-old Priest Shibu Kuttiparichel of Cheengery St. Mary's Jacobite Syrian Church in Wayanad district, donated one of his kidneys to the 29-year-old woman.

The kidney was harvested and transplanted into Kairunnissa at a private hospital here.

Kairunnissa hails from Thrissur and was selected as the recipient from others registered with the Kidney Federation of India.

The federation was founded by another Christian priest Davis Chiramel, who himself had donated one of his kidneys a few years back.

Kairunnissa was suffering from kidney ailments for the past four years and had undergone several rounds of dialysis, said the hospital management.

"Even as Kairunnissa's 56-year-old mother, Shereefa was ready to donate one of her kidneys to her daughter, it was not matching," according to the hospital authorities.

Later Kuttiparichel's blood group matched with Kairunnissa and the transplant was possible," said the authorities.

Both the donor and recipient are in good condition. Kuttiparichel will be discharged in four days, while Kairunnissa will be discharged after a week, said the hospital.