Agartala, May 29, 2025: In a compelling case of medical perseverance, a team of doctors, nurses, and health workers at Agartala Government Medical College and GB Pant Hospital has successfully saved the life of a critically ill seven-month-old baby girl, Adrija Debnath, following a life-threatening battle with acute kidney injury.

According to a press release issued by the Health Department, Adrija, daughter of Abhijit Debnath, was first brought to the Pediatric Department on May 13 with a week-long history of high fever and bloody diarrhea. Upon admission, doctors noted alarming symptoms including minimal urine output, facial swelling, severe weakness, and refusal to feed.

She was immediately shifted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICO). Blood tests revealed extremely high urea (150 mg/dL) and creatinine (2.1 mg/dL) levels, severe anemia (hemoglobin 6 g/dL), and low platelet count. The findings led to a diagnosis of Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS)—a rare but potentially fatal condition in children that can lead to kidney failure.

Despite initial efforts, her condition worsened, leading to complete cessation of urine output and a further spike in toxin levels. Advised to undergo peritoneal dialysis, the family initially opted to transfer her to a private hospital in Kolkata. However, the high treatment cost—Rs 70,000 per night and an estimated Rs 15 lakh for the full course—prompted the lower-middle-class family to return to Agartala.

The child was readmitted to GB Pant Hospital on May 19 in a critical state, with her urea level having escalated to 295 mg/dL, creatinine to 6.3 mg/dL, and hemoglobin dangerously low at 3.5 g/dL. With parental consent, the hospital swiftly initiated emergency peritoneal dialysis and blood transfusions under the supervision of Associate Professor Dr. Srivas Das.

Her condition began to improve steadily. By May 26, she was transferred out of intensive care and into the general pediatric ward. Her urea levels had dropped to 1 mg/dL, creatinine normalized at 0.6 mg/dL, and hemoglobin had risen to 9.4 g/dL.

In a significant relief to the family, all treatment expenses were fully covered under the Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) and the Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK), ensuring no out-of-pocket costs for the parents.

The Health Department lauded the swift response and coordinated efforts of the medical team, calling it a “remarkable instance of life-saving medical intervention.”