In a remarkable demonstration of medical expertise and military coordination, the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Command Hospital Air Force Bangalore (CHAFB) collaborated to conduct a complex multi-organ transplant operation that has successfully saved the lives of five patients. This historic operation took place on June 7 and signifies a major advancement in India’s integrated defense-healthcare capabilities.
The operation began with the unfortunate incident of a serving soldier who was injured in a road accident in Kasaragod, Kerala. After being evacuated to CHAFB on February 17, 2025, the medical team made extensive efforts to stabilize him. Tragically, he was subsequently declared brain dead. In an inspiring turn of events, his family made the selfless decision to donate his organs, setting the stage for a intricate series of life-saving transplants that spanned multiple cities.
The logistics of the mission were particularly impressive. An IAF aircraft was dispatched to airlift one kidney and a cornea to the Army Hospital (Research & Referral) in Delhi. Meanwhile, the second kidney and corneas were transplanted at CHAFB. Notably, a skin harvesting procedure was successfully conducted at CHAFB in association with Victoria Hospital in Bengaluru. Additionally, the soldier’s liver was transplanted at Gleneagles BGS Hospital, with clinical and logistical support from Jeevansarthakathe Karnataka.
A critical component of the operation’s success was the establishment of a ‘green corridor’ by the Bengaluru police. This initiative allowed for the rapid and uninterrupted transport of organs from the hospital to the airbase, ensuring that the viability of the organs was maintained through efficient logistics. The method used for this mission drew on international best practices, significantly shortening transport times.
This operation is representative of a noteworthy trend in India, as cadaver donations have surged by 30% from 2020 to 2024, according to the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO). Medical experts have indicated that the use of military aircraft can enhance organ survival rates by 15–20%, as supported by a study published in 2023 in the journal Transplantation.
The operation has received acclaim from both medical professionals and defense officials, marking it as a pivotal moment in India’s organ transplantation ecosystem. It underscores the essential role that civil-military collaboration plays in enhancing public health outcomes, and it reflects a promising future for organ transplantation in the country.
