Pakistani prisoner in coma, on ventilator support: PGIMER

Pakistani prisoner Sanaullah, who was critically injured after being attacked by an Indian prisoner Friday in a Jammu jail, is in coma and on ventilator support, doctors at the Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) here said Friday.

A medical bulletin issued by the PGIMER said: "The patient Sanaullah was brought to trauma ICU of PGIMER, Chandigarh at 6.47 p.m. today (Friday) after alleged history of assault at Jammu in the jail this morning. He was attended by neurosurgeons at Government Medical College and Hospital, Jammu, who detected head injuries with a large fracture. CT Scan there showed multiple contusions with severe brain oedema."

"Here on arrival, he is unconscious and is on dopamine and noradrenaline infusions to maintain his blood pressure. His urine output appears to be adequate. He is on a ventilator. He is being looked after by a team led by Prof. S.N. Mathuriya, head of Neurosurgery and Prof. Y.K. Batra, professor incharge of Trauma ICU. Further treatment including neurosurgical intervention will depend on his stabilization and neurological status."

"He has been admitted to the ICU. His condition is critical," a PGIMER source said.

Officials of the Pakistan High Commission are expected to arrive here after India allowed consular access to the Pakistani prisoner.

The alleged assault on Sanaullah, a resident of Kot Bhalwal Jail, came a day after Indian prisoner Sarabjit Singh succumbed to grievous injuries sustained in a murderous assault on him in Lahore's Kot Lakhpat Jail.

Sanaullah, a resident of Sialkot, was attacked by a former Indian soldier convicted for murder, following an altercation.

He received serious head injuries and was first rushed to the Government Medical College Hospital in Jammu, where doctors said he had slipped into a coma, much like Sarabjit, who was attacked in a Lahore jail on April 26 and died Thursday.

The Pakistani was later flown to Chandigarh in an air ambulance and admitted to the PGIMER.

Pakistan demanded his immediate release and repatriation.