Young van-puller Shahin Alam’s mechanical ventilator (for artificial breathing) was removed when he came out of a coma and started breathing on his own.
Showing gradual signs of recovery from the deep bruises on his head that left him unconscious for nearly four days, Shahin, lying on an ICU bed, can now mumble the words: father and mother.
The 16-year-old may not have a normal life again, said Prof Asit Chandra Sarker of the department of surgery at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH).
“It is highly likely his hands and legs will progressively become weaker,” feared the physicianand head of the medical board formed for Shahin’s treatment.
Saying that Shahin’s fever was down from Wednesday, Dr Asit expressed hope the teenager may overcome the potential weakness in his hands and legs with regular therapy and exercise.
According to him, patients in Shahin’s condition do not recover fully.
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“Then again, he [Shahin] may recover as much as 90%. He has to be content with being alive, having managed to escape death,” he said.
Shahin, however, is not responding to calls from relatives, and fails to utter clear and meaningful words.
Although he is not in a condition that requires him to be kept in the ICU, Shahin remains there for special supervision upon directives from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
Dr Asit said Shahin will have to go for surgery two to three months later.
“Though some bones in his head have been relocated, they need further replacement,” he said.
His mother Khadiza Begum, who has been at DMCH ever since Shahin was transferred here on Saturday night from Satkhira Sadar Hospital, wants nothing but his complete recovery.
“I do not need the van. All I need is my son’s full recovery,” she said.
