Woman declared brain dead revives on way to funeral in India
Kola Oyelere, Kano
A dramatic incident has been reported in India after a woman who had earlier been declared brain dead by doctors reportedly regained signs of life while being transported home for burial.
The woman, identified as Vinita Shukla, a head copyist at the Pilibhit district court in Uttar Pradesh, had fallen seriously ill at her residence, prompting her husband, Kuldeep Shukla, to rush her to a government hospital in the area.
Doctors at the facility, after assessing her critical condition, referred her to a hospital in Bareilly for advanced medical care. Kuldeep subsequently admitted his wife to a private hospital in the city, where she was placed on ventilator support.
According to the husband, doctors later informed the family that there was little hope of saving her life, stating that she was effectively brain dead and advising them to take her home.
They also reportedly warned that once she was removed from the ventilator, the outcome would become clear.
Kuldeep said he had pleaded with the doctors to continue treatment for another night, but was again advised the following morning to take his wife home as her condition had not improved.
After informing family members in Pilibhit, preparations reportedly began for Vinita’s funeral rites as relatives gathered at home to receive her body.
However, while the ambulance conveying her body was travelling near Hafizganj in Bareilly, it hit a pothole on the road, causing a sudden jolt inside the vehicle.
The occupants of the ambulance were said to have been shocked when they noticed signs of life from Vinita shortly after the impact.
She was immediately rushed to a private hospital in Pilibhit, where doctors initially hesitated to admit her but later agreed to examine her following insistence from family members.
Medical personnel soon commenced treatment, after which Vinita gradually began to show signs of recovery.
A neurosurgeon who later treated her, Dr. Rakesh Singh, said there was suspicion that the woman might have been suffering from the effects of a snake bite.
Based on that possibility, doctors administered anti-venom injections along with other treatments.
According to Singh, Vinita’s condition began to improve within about 24 hours of receiving treatment.
She was also referred to neurology specialists in Lucknow for further consultation.
After nearly 13 days of treatment, the woman reportedly made a full recovery and has since returned home where she is said to be living a normal life.
Family members have described the incident as a miracle, while the medical team involved in her treatment has received widespread commendation from residents in the area.