Anamta Ahmad, World’s youngest recipient of Shoulder-Level Arm Transplant Set to Return Home Happily, After A Month

Anamta is also the world’s first female to receive a shoulder level arm transplant…!

by Samiksha 

Mumbai: The atmosphere at Gleneagles Hospitals in Parel, Mumbai was filled with excitement and happiness as 15-year-old Anamta Ahmad, the youngest recipient in the world to successfully undergo a shoulder-level total arm transplant, was discharged a month after undergoing the milestone surgery. As she joyfully stepped out of the hospital, nurses and paramedical staff gathered to applaud, cheer, and honor her bravery. As Anamta said goodbye to everyone with a heavy heart, Dr. Nilesh Satbhai Head of the Department- Plastic, Hand, Reconstructive Microsurgery and Transplantation, and his team, who carried out the complex 12-hour procedure, expressed satisfaction and pride in her determination and recovery, offering blessings as she began a new chapter in her life.

Two years ago, 13-year-old Anamta Ahmad from Goregaon, Mumbai, visited her hometown of Aligarh in Uttar Pradesh for a vacation. While playing with her cousins on the terrace, she suffered a severe electric shock and burns. As a result of the injuries, gangrene developed in her right hand, necessitating amputation thrice. Her left arm suffered significant damage and limited functionality due to major wounds. Her parents tried hard to find a solution for the problem, at multiple hospitals within the country and also few international hospitals. They faced refusal at all places that they went.

Finally they met Dr. Nilesh G. Satbhai at Gleneagles Hospital, Mumbai who took up the challenge of this difficult transplant surgery. She was registered for hand transplant and had to wait for more than 1 year to get a suitable donor.

A month ago, Anamta underwent her arm transplant surgery and made history by becoming the youngest recipient globally to receive a successful arm transplant at the shoulder level.

Anamta is also the first female in the world to have undergone a shoulder level transplant.

Anamta received the hand from a 9-year-old brain-dead donor from Surat, who happens to be the youngest hand donor of the country till date.

“This moment feels like a dream come true. Life is so different without functional hands, and I couldn’t be happier. I’m overwhelmed with joy and gratitude to the donor and her family. After the electrocution incident, I didn’t know what the future held, but I remained hopeful. Now, with this new hand, I’m determined to shape my future. Although it will take a year to regain full functionality, I’m committed to the treatment plan. This hand transplant has rekindled my hope and given me a second chance at life. I am eternally grateful to Dr. Nilesh Satbhai and his team for making this possible after such a long wait.”, said Anamta Ahmad.

The team at Gleneagles Hospital, who performed this intricate hand transplant, is now dedicated to helping others seeking the same hope.

Having worked for over 20 years to raise awareness about organ donation, I am honored to have played a pivotal role in communicating with and encouraging this donor family to contribute to the life-saving cause of hand transplantation.” — Mr. Nilesh Mandlewala, Donate Life

“Hand donation is still rare as families often hesitate to donate hands, but awareness is growing. Anamta’s injury was complex and she had lost her right upper limb at shoulder level. Her transplant surgery was extremely challenging and it required complex vascular and nerve repairs at a very high level (under the collar bone). The surgery took us almost 12-hours and it was a race against time. At such a proximal level, it is extremely crucial to restore the blood circulation of the transplanted limb within a specific time limit, to ensure the survival of the limb and the safety of the patient. A month later, she is recovering well, and is ready to go home. Though she will need lifelong immunosuppressants and associated care, her journey is an inspiration. Her resilience reminds us all to face life’s challenges with courage,” said Dr. Nilesh G. Satbhai, Head of Plastic, Hand, Reconstructive Microsurgery and Transplantation, Gleneagles Hospitals, Mumbai.

“For amputees, a hand transplant is the only life-altering and viable solution, enabling them to restore functional use of their hands and achieve independence. Following Anamta’s successful hand transplant which marked the 12th successful transplant at the Hospital, we have witnessed a surge in interest, with multiple online inquiries and in-person requests from several hand amputees from Mumbai and other cities across India and abroad as well. As a leading facility for hand transplants in Mumbai and western India, Gleneagles Hospital is equipped with state-of-the-art technology, and novel techniques, and adheres to the highest standards in reconstructive transplantation surgery. Our motto is to deliver exceptional patient care, and empower individuals to reclaim their lives with renewed vigor and independence” concluded Dr. Bipin Chevale, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Gleneagles Hospitals, Parel, Mumbai.