December 16, 2014: Danger of physical disability looms large over APS survivor

Eighth grader Umair Khan suffered radial nerve damage and cannot move his right hand

PESHAWAR: Parents of surviving Army Public School (APS) students are haunted by the very real and unnerving possibility that their children’s injuries could cripple them for life.

Dil Jan, the father of eighth grader Umair Khan, is one such parent. Umair was fortunate enough to make it out of the school that day with bullet injuries only to his arm, however, more than 50 days have passed since the attack and he still hasn’t made much progress to recovery. His family is now starting to panic over the danger of permanent physical disability.

Jan tells The Express Tribune his son was shot in the arm and suffered damage to the radial nerve which controls movement in the triceps, movement of wrist and fingers and sensation in a portion of the hand.

According to Jan, Umair cannot move his right hand since the injury. If not treated properly and promptly, the nerve damage can result in permanent disability for Umair.

Although the provincial government has announced the formation of a board to refer injured students who need more medical care to well-equipped hospitals such as Aga Khan Hospital, Jan says he is not satisfied with this announcement because the longer they wait, the chances of Umair losing functions of his limb increase.

Jan says several doctors have told him to take Umair abroad for treatment. “Doctors have told us that if he is operated upon in Pakistan, there is a 50-60% chance of a successful surgery and recovery will take four to five years.”

Jan insists Umair was well cared for at Combined Military Hospital (CMH) after the attack and he still takes the youngster to the hospital daily for shock treatment to prevent his nerves from dying.

The unfortunate father’s voice is filled with desperation as he speaks about Umair’s medical condition. “My son needs urgent attention from Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to save him from being disabled for life,” he pleads.

He adds he would not have made demands to have his son treated abroad had the relevant treatment been available in the country.

According to Jan, he is yet to be contacted by the relevant authorities to discuss his son’s treatment at Aga Khan Hospital in Karachi.

“Over 132 children died in the school attack. However, it is also urgent to treat those who were injured and are at risk of being crippled for life due to those injuries,” says Jan. “Their treatment should be of paramount importance to the government.”

Published in The Express Tribune, February 8^th, 2015.