10-month-old Aalin Sherin laid to rest with state honours after becoming Kerala’s youngest organ donor
Aalin Sherin was seriously injured in a road accident on February 5 when she was traveling with her mother and maternal grandparents at Pallam near Kottayam on MC Road. Despite intensive medical care, doctors confirmed brain death on February 12. She was the daughter of Arun Abraham and Sherin Ann John from Mallappally in Pathanamthitta district.
With the permission of his parents, the Kerala State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (K-SOTTO) coordinated the donation. The heart valve was sent to Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute of Medical Sciences and Technology in Thiruvananthapuram; his liver to KIMS Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram; and his kidneys were given to the Government Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram. His eyes were donated to an eye bank.
State honors and tributes
Industries Minister P Rajeev said the government had conferred state honors on the baby as a mark of respect. “The government deeply respects the decision taken by the parents who, despite their deep pain, continue the noble example of organ donation,” he said. Ministers VN Vasavan, Saji Cherian, Roshy Augustine and Congress leader PC Vishnunadh, MLA, along with the family member of one of the organ recipients, paid tributes at his residence.
Funeral procession and ceremony
The funeral procession moved to St Thomas CSI Church at Nedungadappally in Kottayam district. Union Minister Suresh Gopi and Kerala Health Minister Veena George attended the ceremony. Gopi said the child will continue to live with others after organ donation and highlighted similar actions in New Delhi and Odisha.
The church ceremony started at 15.30 and ended at 16.45. State awards were given by police personnel before their final rites were performed at the cemetery around 5 p.m.
(With inputs from PTI)
