Bhojpuri films, songs and a lot of pep talk

Anjit Kumar with the team of doctors during his farewell on Friday

Tears rolled down the cheeks of 19-year-old Anjit Kumar, a daily wage earner, as he bid farewell to doctors at JJ Hospital on Friday. The UP native, who has been living in Mumbai to earn a living by painting walls, met with a train accident on April 16 that left half of his right hand severed. After getting operated on and surviving COVID, Kumar was finally discharged on Friday with a small farewell.

Kumar with Dr Yogesh Jaiswal. Pics/Bipin Kokate

Kumar had undergone an 11-hour surgery on the day of his accident but he soon contracted COVID-19. Doctors at JJ hospital not only reimplanted his hand and COVID, but also footed the bills and helped his parents financially while he was out of a job. In addition, during his hospital stay, Kumar was also treated to Bhojpuri movies and songs. During his farewell, the doctors also got a cake for Kumar.

Dr Yogesh Jaiswal, assistant professor and plastic surgeon who led the surgery under the guidance of Dr Chandrakant Gharwade, head of department (plastic surgery), said, "When he was brought to us at JJ hospital's casualty, all we wanted was to save his hand. It wasn't an easy task amid the pandemic. But the hospital administration ensured that we achieve the impossible. Our OT was under repair. We shifted him to GT Hospital. While he underwent other medical tests, I started operating on the severed part."

A team of 10-15 doctors and medical staff worked non-stop to reimplant the severed part. "Veins from Kumar's legs were harvested to reconstruct the severely damaged arteries of his right hand. There was also significant loss of skin in the right hand. So we reconstructed skin with the help of a flap taken from his stomach region. Torn muscles were repaired and nerves reconnected," said Dr Gharwade.

Challenges post-surgery
While the surgery was smooth, the real challenge came post-surgery when Kumar tested positive. "He was brought to JJ hospital post-surgery. After he tested positive, we shifted him to St George Hospital, a COVID facility. We had to check his wound hourly wearing PPE as no one else could do the crucial dressing. There was high risk of infection leading to clotting of vessels that could have led to the death of the connected part. It could have been life-threatening too," said Dr Jaiswal.

Being COVID positive made Kumar restless and he requested doctors to let him go home and amputate his hand. "We counselled him, showed him Bhojpuri movies and songs and tried to keep him in good spirits. We had to make him feel confident that he could come out of it strong," Dr Jaiswal said.

The doctors came together to not only ensure that his bills and medicines are taken care of but also his parents get financial help. "We are happy that he is smiling and getting discharged," said Dr Jaiswal.

Kumar said that he is overwhelmed and grateful to the doctors. "They are like god to me. I have got a second lease of life because of them and can never forget the things they did for me," said Kumar.

Kumar underwent four surgeries for the hand reconstruction and reimplantation. Doctors said he would need more surgeries in the coming days to ensure maximum restoration of mobility.

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No. of surgeries Anjit Kumar underwent to reattach the hand