Two survivors fight on
"Mother, it's cold, I can't stay any longer", Nayan Shil, a survivor of Mirsarai tragedy, said, shivering on a bed in Chittagong Medical College Hospital. His mother, Nileema Shil, was crying helplessly as she could do nothing but giving a vacant look at her only son. His sister, Shipra, was covering him up with some warm clothes. It was all that the poor family could do to save their only male member.
Nayan has been undergoing treatment at different hospitals in Chittagong and Dhaka since July 11, the day that a tragic road crash claimed 41 lives in Mirsarai upazila, Chittagong. Most of the accident victims were school students, and Nayan is one who survived, but wretchedly. The boy lost sights of both of his eyes.
Dr Tanima Roy, the on-duty physician of the Neuro-medicine Ward, CHMCH, told The Daily Star on Tuesday that Nayan suffered a mild stroke earlier. The CT scan that was performed in Dhaka on July 28 shows a clear sign of brain injury, she said. Both of his eyes were blinded due to a heavy jerk in brain that pushed a pool of blood to the eyes, consequently damaging both of the retinas, she added.
The doctor said Nayan is also suffering from pneumonia and is now being given treatment for management of stroke and pneumonia. His health condition is still at high risk, she said.
Nayan's mother said the left portion of his body has been paralysed, and he can see by none of his eyes.
Nayan was admitted to the city's Centre Point Hospital on July 11 and then to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) on July 23 for better treatment of his eyes. He was discharged from BSMMU on August 08.
Back from Dhaka, Nayan was admitted to Pahartali Eye Hospital in Chittagong. On Sunday, he was referred to CMCH.
Nayan's father is dead. He has two sisters, and is the youngest of the siblings.
Nayan is a student of class VIII at Abu Torab Bohumukhi High School.
Meanwhile, Jewel Barua, another survivor of Mirsarai tragedy and classmate of Nayan at the school, fell ill and was rushed to CMCH on Tuesday. At first he was admitted to Matrika Hospital, a private clinic at Mirsarai. Doctors there referred Jewel to CMCH. He is now undergoing treatment at CMCH's ward-13.
Jewel was suffering from respiratory complication with severe head and chest ache. Ranju Barua, mother of Jewel, said Jewel took part in the last second terminal examination of his school. Suddenly his condition began to deteriorate on Saturday as he felt severe headache as well as respiratory problem, she said. He cannot look downward and always feels pain in the head, chest, and waist, the mother added.
Assistant Registrar of the ward Dr Humayun Kabir told The Daily Star that Jewel has been advised to undergo some tests. His health condition can be described after having the diagnosis reports in hand, he added.
"We are trying to give him the best treatment although he is not out of danger".
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