India, Aug. 26 -- A 25-year-old college student from Kolkata, Rishi Sharma, who has been living with Type-1 diabetes since the age of three and had been relying on insulin to survive since the age of five, now lives insulin-free. After undergoing an uncommon simultaneous pancreas-kidney (SPK) transplant two months ago at the Nanavati Max Super Speciality Hospital in Vile Parle, his new pancreas now produces insulin.

Over the years, uncontrolled diabetes led to progressive complications for Rishi Sharma, including eye damage and stunted growth. Three years ago, Sharma developed end-stage kidney failure and was forced into a cycle of dialysis sessions, in addition to insulin dependence. His health, however, continued to deteriorate steadil...