Mera Khazana…
The Liver Transplant in Mohali Reminded Me of a Painful Chapter of My Life**
On December 9, news came from Mohali—Punjab had made history. The first-ever liver transplant surgery at the newly launched Punjab Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (PILBS) was successfully performed. It was shared that the surgery had taken place late last month and was fully successful.
Punjab Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh expressed immense pride—pride that both he and the Punjab Government rightfully deserve.
We too published and shared the news joyfully on Babushahi Network.
But for me, this was not just another news item—it triggered an overwhelming emotional moment that brought tears to my eyes. Those tears carried joy, but also a deep, suppressed pain and a bitter memory from the past.
A reel of horrible period of October 2021 flashed before my eyes—
My daughter Zinnia had been on a ventilator in the ICU of Fortis Hospital for a week struggling between life and death. She had given birth to a baby child; her condition deteriorated right in the operation theatre, and she was shifted to the ICU, put on a ventilator.
After a week of treatment, Dr. Arvind SahniDIRECTOR GASTROENTEROLOGY | Fortis Mohali, sent word that he needed to meet us—and that only the men should come.I and my son-in-law, Abhinav—Zinnia’s husband—went to him.
He explained in detail the disease Acute Fatty Liver of Pregnancy (AFLP) (its explanation is given below), which had struck Zinnia, and told us it occurs in about one in several lakh pregnancies.His next sentence pushed us into complete darkness.
He said:“Your daughter’s liver is on the verge of failure, the kidneys are also giving up. The situation is extremely serious. If a liver transplant can be done, there may be a chance of saving her. Take her to Delhi or Gurugram because performing such surgery in Chandigarh–Mohali is extremely difficult. You will also need a liver donor whose blood group and liver match with Zinnia.”
We were completely lost.Shifting her on a ventilator to Delhi/Gurugram was even more dangerous.
My son-in-law—(this is something I truly admire his love and commitment for his wife and family and sacrificing spirit )—immediately agreed to be the donor. The doctor said the matching tests would be done here itself. Well prepared for as liver donor,Abhinav underwent all tests.
There was also the suggestion of using an air ambulance—but how could we even manage to reach the helipad? The doctor said time was very short; shifting had to be done urgently.
Our entire family and friends started contacting hospitals—Delhi’s government Liver Institute, Gurugram Medanta, Fortis, and others. We consulted senior doctors at PGI as well.
We checked the costs—Delhi’s government institute was relatively economical, while private hospitals quoted a minimum of ₹24–25 lakh, and even then no guarantee of the outcome or future complications.
Meanwhile, Dr. Sahni called us again.He said he wanted to begin Plasma Therapy, which might stabilise her for a few more days—enough to arrange the transplant. But he also warned of the risks: sometimes the brain can be affected—though that, too, has treatment.
After taking our written consent, he started plasma therapy in ICU.But with Nature’s grace and the dedication of the doctors, plasma therapy itself began to show results.After 3–4 sessions, her liver started functioning, and the kidneys also began recovering.Thus, the situation never reached the point of transplant.
Zinnia remained in the ICU for 17 days, 12 of those on the ventilator.52 units of blood were used for her treatment of which 36 units were provided by us.At last ,Zinnia fought and won the battle for life.It took months for her to regain full health.
According to Dr. Sahni, his team, and the Fortis staff—strong willpower of Zinnia played a an important role in her recovery.
Her baby—my granddaughter—remained 21 days in the NICU. She was premature but is now healthy and 4 years old.
During that crisis, me and my wife Tripta deeply grateful to all our family members, close relatives, friends, well-wishers, and loved ones who helped us in every possible way and offered their heartfelt prayers.”
Today, when a government hospital in Mohali has started liver transplant services, it connects deeply with our family’s painful experience.
Had we been forced to shift her to Delhi–Gurugram then, it would have been an unimaginably difficult ordeal.
With PILBS, we hope liver patients in Punjab will benefit immensely.
The Bhagwant Mann government and everyone involved in establishing this institute has done a great public service—provided the facility does not deteriorate like some other government hospitals.
About Acute Fatty Liver of Pregnancy ( AFLP )
Acute Fatty Liver of Pregnancy (AFLP) is a rare and severe third-trimester obstetric emergency where fat accumulates in the mother’s liver. It can lead to liver failure, jaundice, coagulopathy, and multi-organ failure.
It is often associated with genetic defects in fetal fatty acid metabolism, such as LCHAD deficiency.
It requires immediate diagnosis, urgent delivery, and ICU supportive care to save the mother’s life.
Even with prompt treatment, it remains a life-threatening condition for both mother and baby.
Midnight of December 9–10, 2025
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Baljit Balli, Editor-In-Chief, Babushahi Network, Tirchhi Nazar Media
tirshinazar@gmail.com
Phone No. : +91-9915177722
Disclaimer : The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the writer/author. The facts and opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of Babushahi.com or Tirchhi Nazar Media. Babushahi.com or Tirchhi Nazar Media does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.