Serving Indian Army Officer Undergoes India’s First Bilateral Lung Transplant in Pune

Pimpri Chinchwad, 27th June 2025: A 30-year-old serving Indian Army officer from Jammu & Kashmir, suffering from a rare and life-threatening lung disease, has received a new lease on life after undergoing a successful bilateral lung transplant at Dr. D. Y. Patil Medical College, Hospital & Research Centre, Pimpri, Pune. This milestone surgery is the first successful bilateral lung transplant in India performed on a serving Army personnel, further cementing DPU’s reputation as a centre of excellence in critical care and advanced transplant medicine.
The officer was diagnosed with Pulmonary Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis (PLCH), a rare interstitial lung disease that had progressed to complete respiratory failure. As his condition worsened, he became entirely oxygen-dependent and bed-bound. He was referred from the Cardiothoracic Centre of Command Hospital, Pune, and registered for transplant at DPU Hospital on March 20, 2025.
A complex 12-hour bilateral lung transplant was successfully conducted on April 14, 2025. The soldier’s recovery was extraordinary — he was off oxygen within a week and discharged just over two weeks later, walking independently and breathing freely.
Speaking about the landmark achievement, Dr. P. D. Patil, Chancellor, Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University), Pimpri, said,
“This transplant reflects the strength of our healthcare ecosystem, where cutting-edge infrastructure, skilled clinicians, and a dedicated support team converge to make the extraordinary possible. We are proud to support a serving soldier’s journey to recovery with the highest standards of care. My heartfelt gratitude goes out to everyone involved—from surgical and rehab teams to coordinators and traffic authorities who enabled the green corridor.”
Dr. (Mrs.) Bhagyashree P. Patil, Pro-Chancellor, added,
“Every life we touch is a reflection of our commitment to healing with purpose. Supporting a soldier through such a complex procedure exemplifies the values we uphold—compassion, excellence, and service to the nation. Caring for those who protect us is both a responsibility and a privilege.”
Dr. Sandeep Attawar, Lead Transplant Surgeon, emphasized the clinical complexity of the case:
“PLCH is rare and challenging. This transplant demanded absolute precision, coordination, and mutual trust. The patient’s swift recovery is a testament to seamless teamwork.”
Dr. Rahul Kendre, Transplant Pulmonologist, noted,
“It was an honour to care for a soldier. His resilience, combined with timely and expert care, made this outcome possible.”
Dr. Rekha Arcot, Dean of the institution, called it a proud moment:
“This life-saving transplant for a brave Army officer is more than a medical success—it is a tribute to the spirit of service and sacrifice. We are privileged to offer a second chance at life to someone who serves our nation.”
The Intensive Care Unit (ICU) team, led by Dr. Prashant Sakhwalkar (Intensivist), ensured the patient’s clinical stability, supported by Dr. Asir Tamboli, Dr. Swapnil, Dr. Sagar, Dr. Viren, and Dr. Amey Sable. Clinical coordination was handled daily by physician assistants Dr. Sangapriya, Dr. Pratiksha, and Dr. Shifa.
Dr. Ranjith Joel and Dr. Ashok oversaw rehabilitation and physiotherapy, ensuring a full functional recovery. The operating theatre team—Sijo Rajan, Rijo Kuriakose, Rohini, and Wamik—managed organ retrieval and implantation across dual OT setups, while Halimath, Vishal, and Suneel handled organ perfusion and ECMO support. Bagwat Patil, Bronchoscopic Technician, ensured flawless pre-operative diagnostics.
The ICU nursing team—Ganesh Munde, Pooja, Preeti, Nayna, Vaishali, Sonali, and Kavita—provided constant, compassionate care from pre-operation to discharge. Transplant coordination, including documentation and ZTCC compliance, was expertly managed by Arun Ashokan and Vasanthi.
Operational oversight was led by Dr. H. H. Chavan, Medical Superintendent, who ensured flawless coordination across all departments.
A critical aspect of the transplant—the transfer of donor lungs—was accomplished via a green corridor from Dombivli to Pune in under two hours, with permissions from the Zonal Transplant Coordination Centre (ZTCC). This was coordinated by Ms. Aarti and executed with the support of traffic commissioners and local authorities. The mission was led by Pramod Patil, Administrative Head of DPU Hospital, and Parthasarathy Shanmugam, Administrative Head of Organ Transplantation.
Thanks to seamless collaboration and world-class medical intervention, a soldier who once struggled to breathe now walks with renewed strength and dignity. The case highlights both the power of organ donation and the advancements in Indian transplant science.
As of June 2025, Dr. D. Y. Patil Medical College, Hospital & Research Centre, Pimpri, Pune, has completed over 460 transplants, including 32 bilateral lung transplants, 4 combined heart-lung transplants, 4 standalone heart transplants, and 1 heart-kidney transplant—solidifying its place among India’s leading transplant centres.