A woman with interstitial lung disease associated with rheumatoid arthritis breathes easily with the lungs of a teenager

Govini Balasubramani, Director, Heart Lung Transplant, Gleneagles Hospital, addresses the media along with his team of doctors who performed the lung transplant in Chennai on Thursday. | Photo credit: R. Ravindran

A 39-year-old handyman from West Bengal, who suffered from interstitial lung disease associated with rheumatoid arthritis, now breathes easier with the lungs of a teenager.

The progressive condition caused severe scarring of her lungs and greatly impaired her breathing. Despite treatment, her condition continued to deteriorate and her oxygen requirement increased from 1 liter per minute to 8 liters per minute, said Govini Balasubramani, director of heart and lung transplantation, Gleneagles Hospital. He and his team performed the transplant 26 days ago.

Due to her petite stature, the Calcutta resident could not get adult-sized lungs. “The patient, who was previously bedridden and needed help with everything, is now able to walk around the house without support. We discharged her in just 12 days. She was off oxygen support on the third day,” said Dr. Balasubamani.

Biswarup Pal, Head of Medical Services, Gleneagles Hospital Chennai, said the state’s robust organ transplant system was greatly appreciated and helped patients in need. “Thank you to the donor family who volunteered to donate under such dire circumstances. The transplant was successful thanks to our coordinated multidisciplinary care and clinical excellence.”

RY Bharath Kanth Reddy, CEO, Chennai and Hyderabad Cluster, Gleneagles Hospitals, said this is India’s first adult lung transplant using lungs from a 13-year-old donor.

Published – 26 Jun 2026 0:33 IST