NEW DELHI: As doctors from the AIIMS and Army’s Research and Referral Hospital here on Wednesday battled to save Siachen braveheart Lance Naik Hanamanthappa Koppad, whose condition worsened, several people offered to donate their organs to him.
A medial bulletin issued by the Army late in the evening said Hanamanthappa’s condition has ‘deteriorated’, with doctors claiming that the next few hours will be very crucial for him. His survival after remaining buried under snow for six days is ‘nothing short of a miracle’.
“He continues to remain extremely critical with evidence of oxygen deprivation to the brain on CT scan,” said the medical bulletin and added there is evidence of pneumonia in both lungs. “His multi-organ dysfunction continues unabated. His condition has deteriorated despite aggressive therapy and supportive care.”
Hanamanthappa was examined by a team of Army hospital doctors, including critical care specialists, HoD, Dept of Medicine, a senior nephrologist, senior neurologist and other experts. “The entire team was in agreement with the management (of medical problems) that the patient had undergone till now, and concurred with the future plan of management for him,” said the medical bulletin.
Meanwhile, besides prayers, people from across the nation also offered to donate their organs to the Siachen survivor. Retired CISF head constable Prem Swaroop, who lives in Delhi, reportedly reached the Army’s R&R Hospital and offered one of his kidneys to Hanamanthappa.
Similarly, a housewife from Uttar Pradesh also volunteered to donate her kidney to him. Nidhi Pandey from UP’s Lakhimpur Kheri is believed to have contacted a local television helpline and told operators there that she wanted to contact the Army’s Research and Referral Hospital in Delhi to donate her kidney to Hanamanthappa. Ex-Navy sailor S S Raju also expressed his willingness to donate any organ to save the life of a “fellow brother”.
Noted sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik created a sand sculpture at Puri beach to pray for his speedy recovery. Jotting “Get well soon” on a 5-ft tall sculpture, Pattnaik prayed for the jawan.
Meanwhile, Army chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag, for the second time, visited the hospital to get an update on Hanamanthappa’s condition. Later, IAF chief Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha also went to see him and met his family members, who arrived on Tuesday night.
Congress chief Sonia Gandhi wrote to Hanamanthappa’s mother hailing her son’s “endurance and will power” to serve the nation. “I join the nation in praying for the speedy recovery of Lance Naik Hanamanthappa. We salute his endurance and will power to serve the nation,” she said in a statement. “Lance Naik Hanamanthappa fought against the most challenging circumstances that man can ever face. The nation remains indebted to him,” Sonia said.