CHANDIGARH-08.08.2022-The entire ambience was filled with hope and happiness here in PGIMER as visibly moved Sheela Devi, the 40-year-old school attendant at Carmel Convent School, was discharged amid cheers and claps from PGIMER today after her miraculous recovery.

Making her send-off from the hospital a special occasion, Prof. Vipin Koushal, Medical Superintendent, PGIMER was personally present at the Nehru Hospital along with PGIMER team comprising Prof. Kajal Jain from Deptt. of Anaesthesia & Intensive Care, Dr. Aastha Takkar from Deptt. of Neurology, Dr. Apinder Preet Singh from Deptt. of Neuro Surgery, Dr. Ranjana Singh & Dr. Raman Sharma from Deptt. of Hospital Administration and wished her well on her successful recovery. Senior nursing officers and other members of the PGIMER were also present who have been instrumental in her journey of recovery. In a gesture worth appreciation, Principal, teachers and students from Carmel Convent presented her flowers and greetings with everyone in attendance applauding her and wishing her a happy and healthy life post-recovery.

Sheela Devi shared her sentiments as she said, “It was an extremely challenging time. Though this one month of struggles and tribulations, there were thousand moments of fear and anxiety of the unknown, of hopelessness and despair. But the PGIMER team, with their constant medical and psychological support, made me come out victorious of this near-death-like situation and I am deeply touched by the care and compassion. In fact, no words are enough to express my gratitude to the PGIMER team for giving me this second lease of life.”

Expressing his happiness, Prof. Vivek Lal, Director PGIMER, stated, “PGIMER being pioneer in health services is always ready to face new challenges. We are extremely thankful to the community for the trust reposed in the institute. It is that trust that helps us tide over toughest of the challenges and move forward. As Sheela Devi was critically injured when she got admitted in PGIMER on 8^th July, her successful recovery is hugely encouraging for the entire PGIMER team involved in the treatment.”

Sheela Devi, 40 years old female attendant was brought to the Advanced Trauma Centre of PGIMER on 8th July 2022 in a very critical condition, after she sustained head injury due to the fall of the tree on her in Carmel Convent School, Sector 9, Chandigarh.

Following the incident, Sheela Devi was in altered sensorium with multiple grievous injuries. She was immediately intubated; her airways were secured. She was shifted to Trauma ICU and underwent radio imaging of head and spine. Imaging showed left Extradural Haemorrhage with cerebral edema, multiple facio-maxillary fractures and wedge compression fractures of spine area. She was mechanically ventilated and tracheotomised on 4^th day of her admission i.e. on 12^th July. Gradually, her sensorium improved, and she was weaned off the ventilator on day 18^th day i.e. 26^th July, 2022.

Subsequently Sheela Devi was shifted to the ward under Neurology Care for further management. She responded well to all treatment interventions, hemodynamically remained stabilized and thereafter discharged today after her exactly one month long stay here in PGIMER.

Sheela Devi’s discharge from the hospital was a moment of hope and reiteration of faith for everyone who has been part of this miraculous recovery and for all those who had prayed and stood by Sheela Devi and her two children. Holding bunches of flowers, Sheela Devi along with her two children was escorted by Principal & teachers of the Carmel Convent School towards the vehicle parked there, bound for her home.