BHUJ EARTHQUAKE VICTIM

Ms. RAZIA SHAIKH, AGED AROUND 15 YEARS
All the members from one family were found under the debris severely injured (with life threatening infection and compound commuted multiple # + Loss of soft tissue). Initially treated at the Military Hospital, Anjan, Bhuj, wherein was scheduled to be amputated, later transferred to Mumbai.

THE FATHER	: SEVERE RIB INJURY
THE MOTHER	: INJURY ON THE HEAD
THE BROTHER	: HEAD WAS INJURED BADLY
THE SISTER	: INJURED ON THE LEG AND LEG WAS
AMPUTED (BELOW KNEE)

The devastating Earthquake of January 26, 2001, changed the life of 15 yr old Razia. Her small village was just 10 km from the epicenter at Anjar. She was severely injured when the wall of her home collapsed on her, mangling her leg from thigh to ankle. Circumstances led to severe life threatening infection. Amputation of her leg seemed inevitable until she was being spotted by one of the medical relief team member and who happen to know about Dr Ashok Gupta and possibilities of salvage of the limb and the life. She was brought to Dr. Ashok Gupta, Mumbai, through the Red Crescent Society. After painstaking supportive treatment including multiple surgical debridements, skin grafting blood transfusions, she was assured that her limb could be saved.

In a major operation lasting over 10 hours, involving highly technical techniques of micro-vascular surgery, a large piece of muscle and nerve were transferred to restore the continuity of vital blood vessels and the nerves as well to provide adequate cover to the broken legs and the missing muscles in an exclusive life / limb saving surgery.

Razia was saved from a major catastrophe and was finally discharged from the hospital walking (with support) like a normal person.