MUMBAI: In a couple of days, Tanmay Shinde, 17, will walk out of hospital with a second chance at life – thanks to his new heart.
Tanmay’s surgery – Mumbai’s first-ever paediatric heart transplant in a public charitable hospital – was performed at the Bai Jerbai Wadia Hospital for Children in Parel. Being in and out of hospital had also cost him a year in college. Nineteen of these children are being considered for cardiac transplant. “In case of paediatric patients with dilated hearts, their bodies have created space to fit an adult heart. Tanmay’s father Ashok earns a modest salary as a BEST bus conductor and the family, from Ghansoli in Navi Mumbai, could not afford the surgery.
this is its first heart transplant since it received its cardiac transplant licence in 2024 While the hospital has been undertaking paediatric renal and liver transplants. Constant chest pain, breathlessness, and fatigue in the last 12 months had left Tanmay frustrated and agitated. In December 2025, Tanmay’s heart took a turn and he was brought to Wadia Hospital in critical condition. Wadia hospital has a dedicated paediatric cardiomyopathy and heart failure clinic, where more than 370 children are currently undergoing treatment for cardiac issues. After Tanmay, the hospital has listed three more children, aged between 7 and 15, with the Zonal Transplant Coordination Center (ZTCC) for heart transplants. However, we avoid the hearts of donors aged above 40 for children since hearts above that age are susceptible to coronary issues in a few years time. Tanmay’s 11-year-old brother Pranav has also been diagnosed with a genetic heart condition and is listed for a cardiac transplant by the Wadia hospital. The bill – around ₹ 20 lakh.
Child donors are few as most children succumb due to infections, which make their hearts unfit for transplantation.
Doctors said a heart transplant was the only way forward. Also, the parents have to consent to such a transplantation,” said Dr Sumitra Venkatesh, paediatric cardiologist who manages the hospital’s cardiomyopathy and heart failure clinic, But the Shindes’ troubles are far from over. All expenses – pre-surgery tests, the actual organ transfer costs, and the surgery and post-surgery treatments – were paid for by the hospital and its network including crowdfunding, said Dr Panda. Dr Minnie Bodhanwala, CEO of the hospital, said, “We hope this surgery will encourage greater awareness of paediatric organ donation and inspire more families to come forward, giving children awaiting transplants a chance at a healthier future.”
