Malala stable after comfortable flight

The Pakistani teenager, who was shot in the head and neck by the Taleban last week, was airlifted from Rawalpindi by a special UAE aircraft via Abu Dhabi on Monday morning.
Doctors at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital where she was wheeled in at 5pm local time gave her a good chance of recovery, but did not reveal the nature, or extent of her injury for reasons of privacy.
“She is currently stable and is being assessed by a team of multi-specialist doctors from the Queen Elizabeth and Birmingham Children’s hospitals,” said a hospital spokesperson to this newspaper. This team includes clinicians from Neurosurgery, Imaging, Trauma and Therapies.
The spokesperson said the girl had a long, but comfortable flight and was accompanied by a full medical team. Queen Elizabeth hospital is home to the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine, according to British Prime Minister David Cameron’s office. It is the main centre for military casualties returned from conflict overseas and specialises in the treatment of severe gunshot wounds, major head injuries and road accidents.
It is said to have the largest single-floor critical care unit in the world, with 100 beds. “The UK stands shoulder to shoulder with Pakistan in its fight against terrorism,” British Foreign Secretary William Hague said in a statement earlier in the day. “Malala’s bravery in standing up for the right of all young girls in Pakistan to an education is an example to us all.”
Pakistan’s Ambassador to the UAE Jamil Ahmed Khan said Malala is a “symbol of hope and an icon of peace” for regions disturbed by extremism and terrorism. “This attack on a daughter of the nation is cowardly and disgusting.”
A statement released by Pakistan’s military before the flight to Birmingham described her recovery as satisfactory. “She was able to move her legs and hands several days ago when her sedatives were reduced.”
“Intensive neuro rehabilitation” will be needed, the Pakistan military added. The Pakistan government will pay for her treatment and her family’s stay in the UK.
Meanwhile, the British government has stepped up security for the teenager and her family. Malala was targeted by the Pakistan Taleban last week for her role in promoting women’s rights and education in the Swat valley through blogs.
allan@khaleejtimes.com