Ministers visit Navis’s family

Kottayam: Health minister Veena George and cooperation minister V N Vasavan visited the family of Navis Mathew, whose parents and siblings had immediately consented to donate his organs after he was declared brain dead at a private hospital in Kochi. The ministers arrived at their home in Vadavathoor in the morning. Veena expressed her gratitude and respect for the decision by the family after paying tributes to the 25-year-old, whose funeral was held on Tuesday. After speaking to his father Sajan Mathew, mother Sherin, brother Elvis and sister Vismaya, the minister said that their decision was exemplary. Vasavan said that the government is viewing the decision which enabled a fresh lease of life for seven persons with great respect.Navis, who was doing his masters in accounting in France was hospitalised in Kottayam as his blood sugar level dipped drastically. After his condition worsened, he was shifted to a Kochi hospital. On Friday, he was declared brain dead. Following this, the relatives decided to donate his organs. Heart, liver, hands, kidneys and eyes were donated and seven individuals got a fresh lease of life. His heart was harvested in Kochi and transplanted in a patient in Kozhikode, with the health department and police creating a ‘green corridor’ to swiftly and safely transport the live organ.