Brain dead man saves three lives in Isfahan

Amir Hossein Farzandi, 41-old man from Isfahan was declared brain dead after severe accident in Ayatollah Kashani Hospital when the bereaved family approved to donate his kidneys and lungs to two other patients in the last stages of their organ failure, reported Taqrib News Agency (TNA).

According to reports this is the 20^th case of brain death in Isfahan Province since the beginning of spring which have saved a total number of 36 lives mainly suffering kidney, lung, heart failure.

The first kidney transplant in Iran was performed in 1967, and this was the first organ transplant in countries that are current members of the Middle East Society for Organ Transplantation.

In 1989, a fatwa (religious statement) by the Supreme Leader was obtained that recognized brain death and allowed deceased-donor organ transplant. Subsequently, transplant centers began performing deceased-donor kidney, liver, and heart transplants.

Following that in 2000, the Brain Death and Organ Transplantation Act was passed by the Iranian parliament, legalizing deceased-donor organ transplant. The transplant team at Shiraz began performing more deceased-donor kidney and liver transplants and became a successful deceased-donor organ transplant model in the country.

At present Iran is a leading member of the Middle East Society for Organ Transplantation in performing deceased-donor kidney and liver transplants.

KD