KARACHI: A minor girl, who was allegedly raped along with her mother recently in Kashmore district, was taken to the intensive care unit of the National Institute of Child Health (NICH) early on Saturday morning.

According to NICH doctors, the four-year-old girl is suffering from potentially life-threatening infections.

“Although her vitals are stable and the girl is able to breathe without a ventilator, she suffers from serious life-threatening infections. The situation can go either way as the infections have potential to spread in the whole body,” said Prof Jamal Raza heading NICH, describing the coming days as crucial.

Replying to another question, he said if the girl survived the infections, her recovery period may prolong.

“It depends whether she develops a fistula that would take time for treatment and rehabilitation.”

The girl, he pointed out, underwent an abdominal surgery at a Larkana hospital before being shifted to the NICH. She also reported respiratory distress due to which a chest tube was passed.

“Right now, no urgent surgical procedure is required and the team is trying its best to control the multiple infections.”

Published in Dawn, November 15th, 2020