‘Nepal plane crash survivors will get well soon’

Seven of the 10 injured survivors of the US Bangla plane crash in Nepal on March 12 are now receiving treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital’s (DMCH) burn unit. Six of the survivors were already under the treatment of a 13-member medical team led by the coordinator of the burn unit, Samanta Lal Sen. On Monday, six doctors of the unit returned from Nepal with two more patients – one Bangladeshi and the another Maldivian. The Bangladeshi was admitted into the DMCH Burn Unit while the Maldivian opted to return to her home in Dhaka. On Monday afternoon, the medical team discussed the current conditions of the patients at a press briefing, during which doctors expressed their belief that the survivors should all recover, despite some complications. “When we reached Nepal, we saw that the doctors and nurses there were providing treatment to survivors with limited resources,” Burn Unit Resident Surgeon Hossain Imam said. “Thankfully, none of the patients’ conditions deteriorated (and) we are optimistic that they will get well soon. The only remaining risk is infection. If we can stop that, there will be no problems.” Doctors described the conditions of Shahreen Ahmed and Shahin Bepari as “critical”, however, with an operation scheduled for this Wednesday. Associate Professor Lutfar Kader Lenin said they had begun skin grafting on Shahin. “We had previously assumed that he was less burned, but he had almost double the expected burns with about 32%. Moreover, he has a high fever now,” he said. Kabir Hossain, a fifty-three-year-old Bangladeshi survivor, returned to Dhaka on the US-Bangla flight carrying doctors and family members of the other victims. Both of his legs are broken with open fractures, and doctors said he will also need plastic surgery as the muscles of his legs are currently exposed. Sayeda Kamrun Nahar Sharna and her husband Mehedi Hassan are also under the care of the DMCH Burn Unit. Mehedi attended the namaj-e-janaza held at Army Stadium on Monday afternoon for the 23 Bangladeshis who did not survive the US-Bangla crash. Also in attendance was Almun Nahar Annie, the wife of FH Priok, who suffered burns in her respiratory tract but was passed fit to attend following requests by family members. “We have allowed them to take Annie as it is her family’s decision to tell her about her husband and daughter,” said Dr Samanta Lal Sen. “They have also signed an agreement which states that they can ask for any kind of medical help if it is needed.” Another patient, Shekh Rashed Rubayet, was admitted to the Red Unit of DMCH on Saturday, and doctors said he is also improving. The three other survivors of the tragedy are receiving treatment abroad. Yakub Ali was taken to Delhi Apollo Hospital on Monday while Emrana Kabir Hashi and Dr Rezwanul Haque Shaon are under treatment at Singapore General Hospital.