Health

Indian Medical Team Rapidly Responds to Bullet‑Wound Case in Mauritius

By Divya A

A 27‑year‑old woman, Elodie Thomas, was critically injured when a bullet struck her van near Port Louis on October 9. The alleged shooter was a police officer, sparking widespread unrest in Mauritius. Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam urged restraint amid the crisis. Health Minister Anil Bachoo contacted Indian High Commissioner Anurag Srivastava, who immediately reached out to KIMS Hospital in Hyderabad. Doctors from KIMS, after consulting with local medical staff, decided that evacuating Thomas to India would be too risky and that a specialist team should travel to Mauritius instead. On October 12, a 13‑member team from KIMS arrived and worked with local doctors to treat Thomas. The delegation included five doctors and eight specialists and technicians; some returned a day later while a few stayed for additional post‑operative care. Dr Rakesh Jalla, head of the delegation, reported that Thomas’s condition has improved markedly and she can now take a few steps. Neurosurgeon Dr Kapil Khandelwal highlighted the rapid mobilisation, the complexity of the operation, and the risks involved. The bullet entered near the ear, traversed the parotid gland region, and threatened sensitive structures. The surgery required precise intervention to avoid neurological damage. Coordination with Mauritian doctors was critical; a WhatsApp group enabled real‑time information exchange, allowing Khandelwal to guide the local team before the operation. The procedure was successful, with no neurological deficits or infections observed. Thomas continues to recover. The Indian team described the outcome as a “miracle.” Health Minister Bachoo explained that the decision to seek Indian expertise was based on the surgeons’ proven experience rather than geography. High Commissioner Srivastava praised the collaboration as a testament to the strong partnership between the two countries.