Three-year-old amputee to undergo second surgery

“Her first prosthetic limb will be sponsored by the hospital but as she will require four prosthesis as she grows older, we will need additional funds for that,” said Dr Avinash Supe, dean at Sion hospital.

Dr Nivedita Moulick, in-charge at the hospital on Sunday, said, “Samruddhi’s right limb is still in a plaster and the skin on the amputated limb (the left leg) will be closed this week. She is admitted in the casualty ward of the hospital.”

While the funds continue to pour in every day, Dr Suleman Merchant, head of radiology department in Sion hospital, said an amount close to Rs 50 lakh will be needed to ensure continuous medical attention for the girl in the future, which includes medication and prosthetic limb replacements.

“For the first prosthesis, we might need Rs 10 lakh or more depending on its function. If we want her to get a prosthetic leg which will help her to jump and play then the cost might increase,” Merchant said.

Her uncle Harishchandra Chalke said, “We also received compensation from the state government for Samruddhi’s injuries and her mother’s death. It feels good to have support extended by so many people.”

The state government paid compensation of Rs 2 lakh to the families of the dead and Rs 50,000 to each grievously injured victim of the rail accident.

Earlier this month, Byculla-based Christ Church School offered to provide free education to Samruddhi till class XII.

Although being given utmost care and attention in the hospital ward, Samruddhi’s relatives said that she misses her mother. Her aunt Meenal Kavilkar, who has been looking after her in the hospital, said, “Whenever we mention her mother, she gets restless. She is too young but I think she understands that her mother is not around any more.”

Samruddhi’s relative Sandesh Nagte said, “She cries for hours every morning because she feels uncomfortable due to the amputated leg. Her aunt tries to comfort her but it is hard to make her feel better.”

The six bogies that derailed in the train mishap killed 23 passengers — including Samruddhi’s mother Surekha Nagte (35) – and injured over 120. Her father Jairam Nagte (38), a labourer, suffered injuries on the head, hand and chest.     mumbai.newsline@expressindia.com