Leh: A group of doctors from Kolhapur on a
holiday here took up the scalpel and knife and used their
expertise to conduct surgeries on several persons injured in
the flash floods that devastated this region.
The surgeons who were on a pleasure trip preferred to
extend a helping hand to authorities at the Military Hospital
in this Himalayan town rather than rush back soon after the
cloudburst triggered the worst flash floods in the area on
Friday, washing away villages and killing over 165.
"A group of seven tourists who were also doctors by
profession and were stranded here due to the devastation that
happened on Friday came as a blessing in disguise," Major
General Harinder Singh said.
He said the doctors came in contact with their
counterparts at the Military Hospital and extended all
possible help to treat the injured.
Almost all the victims coming to the hospital had trauma
injuries which required expertise of surgeons, whereas the
hospital had just one surgeon and one anesthetists.
The group was led by Dr Vinayak had two orthopedic
surgeons, two general surgeons, two anesthetists and an
ophthalmologist.
"The only civilian hospital here - Sonam Norbu Memorial
hospital - was hit. As such all critical patients were moved
here and those injured by the devastation too were routed to
this military hospital," he said.
The group reached the hospital and immediately started
work using limited resources available at the Military
Hospital.
"Patients who were brought in from the devastated areas
either had broken arms or leg or spine. Many had gone blind
due to mud in the eye. Many needed surgeries due to injuries
in different parts of the body, leading to immense bleeding.
We carried out nearly 22 major surgeries and 42 minor
surgeries," he said.
PTI
