A 30-year-old Bhutanese man, Tilak Gurung, has survived what experts are calling one of the “rarest of the rare” medical events after undergoing a highly complex kidney transplant at Narayana Hospital, Kolkata. Both Tilak and his father—the donor—suffer from Factor VII deficiency, an exceptionally rare genetic bleeding disorder that makes major surgery extremely risky due to the high chance of uncontrolled bleeding.
Tilak had been struggling with persistently low haemoglobin levels, and investigations revealed kidney failure caused by the underlying disorder. As the family explored transplant options, multiple centres abroad reportedly declined the case, citing the high surgical risk for both donor and recipient. Tilak’s father, despite sharing the same disorder, insisted on donating his kidney.
The family eventually reached Narayana Hospital, where a multidisciplinary transplant team led by Dr Deepak Sekhar Roy decided to proceed after extensive planning, risk assessment, and counselling. Surgeons meticulously managed bleeding risks throughout the operation, making the procedure one of exceptional complexity.
The transplant was successful, and both Tilak and his father have recovered. The family publicly thanked the Bhutanese King for financial support and the medical team for saving Tilak’s life. Doctors say the
