Delhi Gang-Rape Victim's Condition Extremely Critical, Say Singapore Doctors

The 23-year-old para-medical student who survived brutal gang-rape injuries was flown to Mount Elizabeth Hospital, Singapore, on Thursday, where the doctors say her condition remains "extremely critical."

Commenting on the victim's condition, Dr. Kelvin Loh, CEO of Mount Elizabeth Hospital, stated, "Prior to her arrival, she has already undergone three abdominal surgeries, and experienced a cardiac arrest in India," as quoted by PTI. "A multi-disciplinary team of specialists is taking care of her and doing everything possible to stabilise her condition," he added.

Dr. V.P. Nair, Consultant Interventional Cardiologist at Mount Elizabeth Hospital, stated that the victim was in an extremely critical condition when she was brought in. He said, "She was very critical when she came. She has had multiple surgeries in India itself. She can get infection, don't think her brain condition is great at the moment. Sometimes there can be a miracle, I can't say. We will do our best," CNN-IBN quoted him. "When there is a multi-organ failure, we have to see the situation one by one," he added.

Dr. B.D. Athani, Medical Superintendent of Safdarjung Hospital, said, "She has survived the after effects of the injuries so far, but her condition continues to be critical," as quoted by CNN-IBN. "It has been decided that the patient be shifted abroad for further treatment in Singapore as advised by the team of doctors," he added.

The CNN-IBN report said that the decision of moving the victim to Mount Elizabeth Hospital which specializes in multi-organ transplant was taken in a meeting presided by the Cabinet Secretary. The Indian government has announced it will bear the entire cost of her treatment.

The girl, accompanied by her parents and a team of doctors from Safdarjung hospital, was flown to Mount Elizabeth Hospital in an air ambulance on Wednesday late night.

The Indian High Commission in Singapore has assigned a liaison officer with the victim's family on a 24-hour basis to communicate with the hospital staff, stated PTI reports.

The victim was raped and assaulted by six men, including the driver, in a private bus on December 16. A male friend accompanying her was beaten up as well. Both the girl and her friend were later stripped and thrown off the bus. The police traced the accused and all six have been arrested.