Latest news with #Gurkirat
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Business Standard
23-05-2025
- Health
- Business Standard
World's youngest robotic liver transplant performed on 5-yr-old in Chennai
This five-year-old didn't just survive a liver transplant — he danced home. In a medical feat that is also a global first, doctors in Chennai performed a robotic liver transplant on the world's youngest patient. They did it all through a tiny hole, without a single big cut. What's more, the child's mother, who donated a portion of her liver, also had her surgery done robotically. The result? Both were back on their feet within days, with barely any scars to show. This is the story of 5-year-old Gurkirat Grover from Karnal, Haryana, whose life was saved by a blend of cutting-edge technology, expert hands, and a mother's love. What condition made liver transplant essential for the child? Gurkirat was born with a rare but dangerous genetic condition called Urea Cycle Defect. In simple terms, his liver couldn't properly process proteins. As a result, toxic ammonia built up in his body, especially in the brain—a condition that could be life-threatening if not treated. His parents, Nikita Kohli and Saurabh, had already lost their first child to the same disease. So, when Gurkirat was diagnosed early, they followed a strict medical routine, which involved no protein-rich foods, special medication, and constant hospital visits to manage ammonia spikes. But as Gurkirat grew, that kind of restricted life was no longer sustainable. His health began to decline, and the only permanent cure was a liver transplant. Why is this transplant considered a global first? Liver transplant is already among the most complex surgeries. Now imagine doing it on a tiny five-year-old body — using robotic arms instead of traditional open surgery. But the doctors at Rela Hospital in Chennai achieved it. 'This is not just a first for India, it's a first for the world,' said Professor Dr Mohamed Rela, Chairman of Rela Hospital and the lead surgeon. Here's what makes it special. It was: The world's first robotic liver transplant on such a young child The first time both the donor and recipient surgeries were robotic A surgery done through small incisions, with no major cuts or large scars The child was walking within three days and discharged in seven days His mother, who donated 25 per cent of her liver, also had her procedure robotically, and was out of the hospital in just five days 'Until last month, my son had not been able to have a normal diet, with food measured constantly and stress over ammonia levels. By the eighth day after the surgery, he was home, dancing,' Nikita said, holding back tears. What are the benefits of robotic liver transplant surgery? Unlike traditional open surgery, robotic liver transplant surgery is minimally invasive. That means: Tiny cuts and scars Less pain and faster healing Lower risk of infection Shorter hospital stays Better psychological outcomes, especially for children According to Dr Rela, robotic surgery also costs less in the long run, as it cuts down on complications, pain, and recovery time. 'Children with big scars often grow up feeling different,' he said. 'This way, they can play sports, make friends, and grow up without carrying visible reminders of their surgery.' He further explained that it was an Auxiliary Liver Transplant, one of the most technically difficult types of liver transplants. His team has performed over 400 robotic donor surgeries, but this was the first time in the world a robotic liver transplant was done on both a child and the donor. 'A portion of Gurkirat's native liver was left inside, which could be helpful later if gene therapy becomes an option. This child is now on a regular diet, plays like any child his age, and no longer needs to be admitted for emergency ammonia spikes,' said Dr Naresh Shanmugam, Director of Women and Child Health at Rela Hospital. 'Post-transplant, he's back to a normal life.' How much did the robotic liver surgery cost? According to Dr Rela Institute and Medical Center, Chennai, a liver transplant in India usually costs around ₹20–24 lakh. The robotic approach added about ₹2 lakh more—still a small price for a life-saving, scar-free, and quicker recovery surgery. 'This is just the beginning,' said Dr Rela. 'The future of surgery is robotic. It's safer, faster, less painful — and most importantly, life-changing for patients.' For more health updates, follow #HealthWithBS
Hindustan Times
02-05-2025
- Hindustan Times
Chandigarh: Teen member of robbers' gang held, 3 bikes recovered
Wanted for a series of gunpoint robberies in Chandigarh and Mohali, an absconding member of a robbers' gang has landed in police net. Identified as Gurkirat Singh, the accused, aged 19, is a Class-12 passout and a resident of Chajju Majra village in Mohali, said police. With his arrest, police recovered three motorcycles, a scooter and three sets of alloy wheels stolen by the gang. The CIA staff of Mohali police had registered a case against the accused and his accomplices at the Kharar police station on March 18, 2025, for committing robberies with illegal weapons. Following a probe, police arrested six gang members, leading to recovery of illegal weapons, vehicles and car accessories. However, Gurkirat remained at large. Hot on his trail, police continued to conduct raids at his house and other possible hideouts. Finally, on April 24, the accused was arrested by the CIA team from his house. The investigation was conducted under the supervision of superintendent of police (Investigation) Saurabh Jindal and deputy superintendent of police (Investigation) Talwinder Singh. According to police, the gang had been active in Chandigarh and Mohali, where they robbed people at gunpoint. Apart from this, they were also behind several theft cases. Among the vehicles recovered from Gurkirat are a Royal Enfield Bullet motorcycle, stolen by the accused from Ansal Society, Kharar; a Yamaha R15, stolen from Global City, Harlalpur, Kharar, and Hero Splendor lifted from Mohali, apart from a TVS Jupiter that was nicked from Desu Majra Road, Fartulapur. Besides, two sets of alloy wheels with tyres, stolen from Mataur, and another, stolen from the area under the Phase-1 police station, were also recovered. Gurkirat was produced before a court that sent him to police remand for further questioning and recoveries.
Hindustan Times
28-04-2025
- Hindustan Times
Ludhiana: FIR against three after minister's gunman ends life
A day after a 32-year-old Punjab Police constable allegedly shot himself dead, the Doraha police registered an FIR for abetment to suicide against a woman, her mother, and her brother, following allegations made by the deceased's family. The constable, Gurkirat Singh, who was posted as a gunman with state cabinet minister Hardeep Singh Mundian, allegedly ended his life by shooting himself with his service carbine at the residence of a woman in Rampur village, of Doraha, on Sunday evening. Inspector Akash Dutt, SHO of Doraha police station, confirmed that based on the statement of Gurkirat's mother, Daljit Kaur, an FIR has been lodged against the three accused under Section 108 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for abetment to suicide. 'Further investigation is underway,' the SHO added. Daljit Kaur stated that her son got the job in the police department on compensatory grounds. He had been in a relationship with Karamjit Kaur, the woman named in the FIR, since 2009, and both families were aware of their bond. However, five years ago, Ranjit Kaur allegedly intervened, preventing further contact and marrying her daughter off to another man without informing Gurkirat. Daljit Kaur further alleged that even after her marriage, Karamjit Kaur continued to contact Gurkirat and, along with her family, extorted money from him under various pretexts. She claimed that Gurkirat, who was deeply affected by the betrayal and harassment, frequently visited their house where he was pressured and manipulated for money, leaving him mentally shattered. On Sunday, Ranjit Kaur allegedly summoned Gurkirat to their home, and shortly after, news broke that he had shot himself there. Daljit Kaur firmly asserted that her son was driven to suicide due to the persistent harassment and exploitation by the woman and her family members. The police have initiated a thorough investigation while efforts are on to apprehend the accused. According to Khanna senior superintendent of police (SSP) Jyoti Yadav, initial investigation suggested Gurkirat Singh was involved in a one-sided love affair with the woman, who had been married for the past four years. 'He had gone to the woman's house and asked for her phone number from her mother. When denied, he shot himself in a fit of rage,' Yadav said.
