Gang rape victim flown to Singapore, condition is still critical
Singapore: The 23-year-old Delhi gang rape victim was flown to Singapore on Thursday in an “extremely critical condition” and was admitted to a multi-organ transplant specialty hospital.
The victim, who remained on ventilator support during most part of her treatment in Safdarjung hospital in Delhi, was brought here in an air ambulance early this morning. A team of doctors and her family members accompanied her.
“The patient arrived at Mount Elizabeth Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit this morning in an extremely critical condition,” a spokesperson of the hospital said.
“She is being examined and the hospital is working with the Indian High Commission. We request that the privacy of the patient and family be respected,” the spokesperson said.
Earlier, the Indian High Commission in Singapore said that the plane carrying the girl landed at the Changi International Airport at 7.30 AM (5 AM IST).
The decision to shift the girl was taken at the highest level of the Indian government, which has declared that it will bear all the expenses of her treatment.
On December 16, the girl was gang-raped and brutally assaulted in a moving bus and thrown out of it in Delhi. She underwent three surgeries but her condition remained critical.
In a statement, the High Commission said that the girl is receiving full medical attention at the hospital.
“We assure all concerned that the patient is receiving full medical attention and the family is also being provided all possible assistance by the High Commission,” it said.
The High Commission has also conveyed to the hospital and the family request for privacy of the patient and the family be respected.
“We have received numerous queries regarding the condition of the patient and also many offers to help. We are deeply grateful for all of these offers,” the statement said.
“At this stage, we would request that the privacy of the patient, family members as also of the medical team in attendance is fully respected so that the treatment may continue smoothly,” the statement added.
Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde said the government would spare no effort for the treatment of the victim and it would meet all the costs for her treatment.
“We are all aware of the critical condition of victim. Since the day of the incident, it has been our endeavour to provide her the best of medical care. Despite the best efforts of our doctors, the victim continues to be critical and her fluctuating health remains a big cause of concern to all of us,” he said in a statement.
Shinde said when the government was advised by a team of doctors that she may be shifted abroad for treatment, it had ordered India’s High Commissioner in Singapore to make necessary arrangements.
