In a deeply moving act of compassion and strength, a renowned Karachi nephrologist, Dr Mahar Afroze, donated the kidneys of her 23-year-old son, Syed Sultan Zafar, after he was declared brain dead following a tragic car accident — a decision that saved the lives of two patients awaiting transplants.
Sultan, a final-year dental student at Ziauddin Medical and Dental College, was the only son of Dr Afroze, who serves as a Consultant Nephrologist and Associate Professor at the Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT). Coming from a distinguished medical family, Sultan was the grandson of respected healthcare figures Professor Tipu Sultan and Professor Dr Shershah Syed. His father, Syed Furqan Zafar, passed away from liver cancer a few years ago and is buried in Kohi Goth, where the family runs a charitable hospital. Sultan was laid to rest beside him.
According to Prof Tipu, Sultan was involved in a severe car accident last Wednesday while driving with friends in a private housing society. He sustained critical head injuries and underwent emergency surgery to remove brain clots. Though he briefly showed signs of recovery, his condition deteriorated, and by Tuesday, he was declared brain dead.
In a moment of unimaginable grief, Dr Afroze chose to donate his organs, hoping to bring life to others. “She is a doctor who witnesses patients dying due to a lack of organ donors. She wanted her son’s death to bring life to others,” Prof Tipu shared.
Late that night, Dr Afroze personally brought her son’s body to SIUT for organ retrieval. His kidneys were successfully transplanted into two patients who had been on dialysis for years. Unfortunately, other organs could not be used due to the lack of suitable recipients.
Professor Dr Shershah Syed called Dr Afroze “a brave mother, a noble doctor, and a true humanitarian,” while SIUT hailed her decision as an inspiring example of selflessness in the face of personal tragedy.
