After returning to India for life-saving treatment, Ananth Krishna Harish is now in full health and will travel back to Canada on February 9 to continue his studies. Kerala once again demonstrates its global leadership in healthcare through advanced medical expertise and successful clinical outcomes.
Kochi: A Malayali student whose lung function was critically impaired after contracting pneumonia while pursuing higher studies in Canada has been given a new lease of life following a highly complex surgery performed at Sunrise Hospital, Kochi. The beneficiary is Ananth Krishna Harish (20), a third-year Mechatronics student at Gregorian College, Barrie, Ontario.
In September last year, Ananth was admitted to a leading hospital in Canada after experiencing chest pain, fever, and severe breathlessness. Medical investigations revealed a condition known as multiloculated pleural effusion, in which infected fluid had accumulated in multiple pockets around the lungs. Part of the fluid was drained and sent for examination. However, suspecting the possibility of tuberculosis, doctors placed Ananth in an isolation room as a precautionary measure. Although tuberculosis was later ruled out, Ananth was required to remain in isolation for nearly 40 days. During this period, his chest pain and breathlessness worsened. Despite treatment with medications and repeated procedures involving chest tube insertion to drain the fluid, there was no significant improvement. As his lung function continued to deteriorate and his condition became critical, the family decided to bring Ananth back to India for advanced treatment. On November 18, 2025, after arriving in Kochi, he was admitted to the Department of Thoracic Surgery at Sunrise Hospital.
Following detailed evaluation, doctors found that the infection in the left lung had become chronic, with thickened pus forming multiple layers, progressing into a severe condition known as multiloculated empyema, said cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Nasser Yusuf while addressing a press conference. As a result, the chest cavity had contracted, preventing the left lung from expanding—a condition medically referred to as trapped lung. At this stage, Ananth was breathing with the support of only one lung.
He was subsequently taken up for emergency surgery. Cement-like hardened layers measuring 15 × 12 × 4 cm had completely encased the lung, firmly adhering to the chest wall and diaphragm. During the nearly nine-hour-long surgery, these thick layers were meticulously removed millimetre by millimetre. Dr. Nasser Yusuf explained that air leaks on the lung surface were also repaired during the highly delicate procedure, which included pleurectomy and decortication. Following recovery, Ananth was discharged from the hospital on November 27.
Before the surgery, Ananth found it difficult to climb even a single floor. By the time of discharge, he had regained sufficient strength to climb up to seven floors with ease. Doctors noted that early mobilisation after surgery to facilitate lung re-expansion, along with structured physiotherapy, played a crucial role in his recovery. Dr. Nasser Yusuf emphasised that persistent chest pain or breathlessness following pneumonia should never be ignored, and that timely medical evaluation and expert treatment are essential. Dr. Neethu Thambi, Medical Superintendent Dr. Shobha, Ananth Krishna, and his parents Dr. Poornima and Mr. Hareesh also addressed the press conference.
