Delhi gang-rape case: Victim takes a few steps with nurse`s help

Zeenews Bureau

New Delhi: Amidst massive furore came a news of relief when the gang-rape victim got off the bed on Saturday evening and took a few steps with the help of a nurse. Doctors at Safdarjung hospital had earlier announced that the girl is now speaking and is extra-ordinarily stable. Giving health update, the doctors said that the 23-year-old victim has shown "improvement" and is "psychologically totally balanced", but the danger of infection spreading in her body continues. "Her WBC (white blood cell) count has improved. It is 2,600… it is better than yesterday. But blood platelet is lower than yesterday (Friday)," BD Athani, the medical superintendent of Safdarjung Hospital, told reporters here. He, however, did not give the blood platelet count. The normal white blood cell count range is from 4,000 to 11,000. On Friday, the woman`s white blood cell count was1,500 and blood platelet was 61,000. He said that they are administering platelet rich plasma to the young woman. The victim is better than yesterday, more alert and is being able to talk. Doctors said that the young woman has been given sips of water and apple juice since this morning. "She has improved and is very alert compared to yesterday (Friday). She is active and communicating. She asked for water this morning. Her all parameters are optimum except reduction in platelet count," said another doctor, part of a multi-discipline medical team treating her. Also, for the first time, she was accessed by a team of psychologists. "Today, our psychiatry department team led by Dr Kuldip Kumar and Dr Abhilasha Yadav did preliminary psychology profile/assessment of the victim," Athani said. Explaining about her state, Kumar said: "We followed a sensitive approach to talk to her and preliminary investigations show that she is psychologically composed.” "She is responding well but it is too early to say anything. She is psychologically extraordinary stable, optimistic and hopes of having a good future," said Kumar, a senior psychiatrist. "She is very brave and positive and optimistic about her future. Her biological functions are normal and psychologically she is totally balanced and composed," said Yadav. The doctors also said the level of bilirubin, brownish yellow substance found in bile, has increased to 5.9 from Friday`s 5.1, which is a cause of concern as it could affect functioning of liver. Bile acids are part of the thick liquid called bile that helps the body to digest fats. Bile is produced by the liver, stored in the gallbladder, and released into the small intestine where food is digested. The victim`s Total Lymphocyte Count (TLC) has come down which means there are chances of infection in her body, which is the worry, doctors added. "But we are keeping her on high dose of antibiotics and high standards of hygiene," the doctor added. TLC is a test that shows how the immune system is working. Earlier in the day, police fired tear gas shells and resorted to lathi-charge to disperse thousands of people who had gathered at Raisana Hill to protest against the gang-rape of the in a moving bus on Sunday. Some students were also injured in the police action. Police have arrested all the six accused in the case. (With IANS inputs)