KATHMANDU, FEBRUARY 27

Against all odds, 9-year-old Jessica Saud from Badimalika Municipality-5 in Bajura has defied death's grip.

Dr. Surendra Basnet, a plastic surgeon, senior consultant, and professor at Kist Medical College, recounts the extraordinary journey of rescuing Jessica from the brink of demise. He added that it is a rare occurrence in Nepal for burn victims of her severity to recover.

Jessica's harrowing ordeal began with a devastating accident while cooking, leaving 35% of her body severely burnt.

After the incident, Jessica was referred from Bajura District Hospital to Kathmandu. She was admitted to Kist Medical College in critical condition. The medical team painted a bleak prognosis to her distraught mother, promising relentless efforts to salvage her fragile life.

Following which, Jessica went into the care of a dedicated team which included Dr Basnet, and Plastic surgeon Dr Krishna Kumar Nagarkoti among others, who were determined to rewrite her fate.

Jessica underwent four major surgeries and twelve minor procedures. Her lower body, both front and back, bore the brunt of severe burns. These types of deep burn conditions have a very low possibility of treatment in Nepal, Dr Basnet added. However, her family did not have financial capabilities to take her to a well-equipped hospital in India, so we took the risk and treated her here, he added.

As Jessica teetered on the brink of her life due to the financial constrain and left in limbo, she was rescued and brought to Kathmandu through a collaborative effort of Badimalika Foundation Nepal and Medical Rehabilitation Organization. Following which she was admitted to Kist Hospital where she is being provided with their financial support by the two organisations along with various discounts in many fees by the Hospital.

The full cost of her treatment would have cost lakhs, Dr Basnet said, even after the hospital subsidies, more than four lakhs have already been spent. The hospital has been providing very high quality services at minimal fees, Basnet added.

Pabitra's husband had gone to Malaysia for employment with whom she has lost contact since last September. In the lack of financial means to support Jessica's treatment, Pabitra had been reaching out to her relatives for support. Pavitra now overwhelmed with gratitude, expressed heartfelt appreciation to all involved in her daughter's miraculous recovery.

Through the collective endeavors of Kist Medical College, Badimalika Foundation Nepal, and Medical Rehabilitation Organization Kathmandu, Jessica found herself on the way to her rebirth.

Dr. Basnet, reflecting on Jessica's case, said that although he had treated many patients with burns but not with such severity. He further emphasizes the intrinsic value of providing medical services beyond mere monetary gain.

(Transl., Ed.: Sandeep Sen)