The following appeal from Kaushik Sarma, brother of Ipsita Sarma, vividly describes the desperate condition of this unfortunate lady. Ispita who lost her husband just weeks ago herself desperatley need a kidney transplantation to remain alive to look after her children. Please read on and make a donation, big or small, as a humanitarian gesture to one of our people in need using your credit card through PayPal by clicking the 'Donate' link on the right hand side. The UAAUK will directly pass the amount raised to the hospital where the procedure will take place. Sincerely yours: Dr Ranjit Baruah, President and Dr Nripen Barkataki, Secretary (UAAUK).
Appeal
Financial help for my widowed sister who needs a Kidney Transplant
Ipsita Sarma was born on the 24th of September, 1979 in Nazerath Hospital, Shillong, Meghalaya. A post graduate in English, she has been in good physical state throughout except for the being little higher then normal. The investigation for the same was done in 2003-04 and was declared fit.
She got married to Mrigen Sarma in July 2004 and moved to Greater Noida, Ghaziabad. They were blessed was a baby girl in July 2005 and were leading a normal happy family life.
The first indications of her illness were detected in October, 2008 with thyroid and kidney problems. Immediate attention was taken and doctors from Fortis and Apollo hospitals were consulted. In Dec, 2008, Dr. SK Agarwal (HOD, Dept of Medicine), Apollo Hospital, New Delhi took charge and started the treatment afresh. However, there was an adverse reaction of medicine which resulted to a very week health condition leading to a severe form of Skin Reaction (ref medical records 01/01/09). Due to unavailability of enough manpower to take care of the proceedings and other chores, she was brought back to her hometown, Guwahati and started treatment in International Hospital. While she was undergoing the treatment, her husband left for Noida to resume the job.
On the 16/02/09 we got the news of her husband's unnatural demise which worsened her health conditions to such a degree that she is having to battle for life. Various options were explored since then to give her the best of treatments to improve her health condition. She underwent couple of dialysis and a blood transfusion in Guwahati Medical College Hospital and the process would have continued had not the doctor treating her advised a kidney transplant and suggested that she be taken to a better and more developed city. Hence, she was taken to Delhi hoping to get an admission in AIIMS for the transplant. However, due to her poor health condition, a transplant is not possible immediately. She is advised haemodialysis thrice a week till her creatinine, urea and uric acid levels are normal. It is only after she attains stability in her condition, the kidney transplant can be done and this may take 3-5 months.
Cost Estimate
Kidney Transplantation at AIIMS
Essential Basic costs
- Haemodialysis (3/wk) in AIIMS + Medicines Rs.15,000/- approx per month for 2 months (Rs.15000 x 2) = Rs.30,000/-
- Expenditure at the time of transplantation for surgical disposable items = Rs.35,000/- (approx)
- Post renal transplantation medicines approx. Rs.15000/- per month initially. For 1st year it is approx. (Rs.15000 x 12) = Rs.1,80,000/-
- Donor and recipient work-up = Rs.15,000/- (approx)
Total approximate expenditure = Rs.2,60,000/-
Note: This does not include the cost of haemodialysis outside, prior to inclusion in the haemodialysis programme at AIIMS.
Additional Cost (as needed)
Some patient may require following therapy on medical grounds, which will add to the cost mentioned above:
- Induction therapy with monoclonal antibodies at the time of transplant
- CMV prophylaxis after transplant
- CMV treatment after transplant
- Anti-rejection therapy with monoclonal antibodies after transplant
- Antifungal treatment with liposomal Amphotericin after transplant
- Poor patients may apply for various government sponsored illness assistance funds for which they should contact the hospital social workers.
- Four to Six units of blood need to be arranged for transplant surgery, though all may not be utilized in every case.
Waiting period for Living Transplantation
The approximate waiting period for renal transplantation is 2-4 months from the date of registration of the living donor. However, this will vary depending on the fitness of the donor and recipient.
We are currently incurring the following costs on an ongoing (monthly) basis:
- The cost of dialysis Rs. 15000
- Medicines Rs. 7000
It is really unfortunate to see my sister battling with life. The funds that was available in our capacity is already being spent on her current medications. The death of her husband has left her all alone. Hence i would like to appeal for aid/financial assistance for my sister’s treatment.
Many thanks in advance
Kaushik Sarma
(Brother of Ipsita Sarma)