Extensive injury led to death: Doctor

Victim left Safdarjung Hospital in an unconscious state and did not regain it

The Delhi gang-rape victim left Safdarjung Hospital in an unconscious state and did not regain her consciousness in the next 48 hours, said one of the doctors accompanying her.

“The girl was never conscious when she was taken on-board the air ambulance. She never regained consciousness,” Yatin Mehta, chairman of the Medanta Institute of Critical Care and Anaesthesiology, who accompanied the Delhi brave heart, said.

“Infection was a significant contributing factor. A major part of her intestine was removed. Since the extent of damage was very extensive and damage was so severe, it was difficult for doctors,” he told Deccan Herald.

The 23-year-old girl was taken to Mount Elizabeth Hospital in Singapore on Wednesday night amid hopes that her condition would improve. A section of doctors later criticised the government’s decision of shifting her in such a critical condition.

“She was very sick but not so sick that she could not be transferred to Singapore on a six-hour journey. There was no CT scan of the head done at Safdarjung Hospital. Once she reached Mount Elizabeth Hospital, a full body scan was done and the brain injury was detected,” said Mehta.

Asked if such facilities are not available in private hospitals in India, he said, “My job was to see her well up to Singapore. I don’t want to comment on this question.”
The Medanta specialist said treatment given by the Singapore hospital was same as the treatment offered to her in Safdarjung except change in one antibiotics. But even the changed medicine was from the same family of antibiotics.

After reaching Singapore, her parents were informed by doctors that it was a difficult case and chances of success were slim. They said they were satisfied with the treatment given to the girl and left the outcome to the god, said Mehta who last saw the girl on Friday morning and returned to Delhi, a few hours before she passed away.
Mehta claimed it was wrong to say that she should not have been transferred.

“There is no comparison between government hospitals in India and a private hospital in Singapore. I am talking about infrastructure facility and not the medical expertise at Safdarjung,” he said.She was on ventilator in the Singapore hospital all along. The last medical bulletin issued by the hospital on Friday night stated that her vital signs were deteriorating with signs of severe organ failure and she had been put on maximum artificial ventilation support.

Mehta admitted intestine transplant at this stage or near future was out of the question—a point raised by Samiran Nandi from the department of surgical gastroenterology and liver transplantation at Gangaram hospital.

Tributes pouring

She was a brave and courageous girl who fought till the very last minute for her dignity and her life. She is a true hero and symbolises the best in Indian youth and women.
Pranab Mukherjee,
President of India

I want to tell her family, friends and the nation that while she may have lost her battle for life, it is up to us all to ensure that her death will not have been in vain.
Manmohan Singh
Prime Minister of India

 Her death will not go in vain. There will be maximum punishment for the accused. This incident is a lesson.
Sushilkumar Shinde
Home Minister

Her death has shaken the conscience of the nation. We must wake up and make India safe for daughters.
Sushma Swaraj
Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha


Our hearts are burning with grief and shame and this is not the moment for speeches or words, but for deep reflection among ourselves, within
ourselves.
Sheila Dikshit
Delhi Chief Minister

In her untimely and sad demise, we have lost a courageous daughter of our country who faced life with tremendous strength and fortitude... She will continue to inspire us for all times to come.
Meira Kumar
Lok Sabha Speaker

I hope the trial is quick and results in quick punishment. Ultimately, justice must be done... the trial should be over in two months.
Ram Jethmalani
Rajya Sabha MP

Her unbounded courage and her indomitable spirit will never die and will never be forgotten...
Sonia Gandhi
Congress chief

Stringent law should be framed to check various types of harrassment of women and for their security.
Mayawati
BSP chief