A successful heart transplant took place at Kottayam for the 12th time. The heart was transported by air and successfully transplanted at Kottayam Medical College Hospital. The surgery was led by Dr. T.K. Jayakumar, Head of the Cardiothoracic Vascular Surgery Department and Hospital Superintendent, along with Dr. Nidheesh Chooriyil, Dr. Aravind P. Raman, Dr. Manoop, Dr. T.B. Noufal, anesthesiologist Dr. Manjusha N. Pillai, anesthesia technicians Rahul, Deepu, Devika, perfusionists Vishnu and Fathima, and nurses Sujesh, Linu, Selin, Anija, and Soumya.
Funds for the surgery of Arun Shaji (35) from Kumarakom, Kunnathukalathil House, were raised locally through a support committee. The donor was S. Krishnalal (34) from Anayara, Thiruvananthapuram, who was declared brain-dead following a road accident. His heart was successfully transplanted into Arun.

Once compatibility was confirmed, the Kottayam Medical College team traveled to KIMS Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram, where Krishnalal was being treated. The heart was flown via air ambulance to Thiruvananthapuram airport, then transported by helicopter to the Kottayam Police Parade Ground, and finally taken by ambulance to Kottayam Medical College.

Arun, a temporary staff member in the Cardiothoracic Vascular Surgery Department at Kottayam Medical College, had undergone two heart surgeries earlier, but his condition did not improve. Doctors then decided a heart transplant was necessary. The organ transfer procedures were coordinated under the leadership of Kerala Network for Organ Sharing (KNOS).