Ex-navyman offers to donate any organ for Siachen survivor

Indian Navy's ex-sailor S.S. Raju has expressed his willingness to donate any organ of his body to save the life of "fellow-brother" and Siachen miracle survivor Lance Naik Hanumanthappa Koppad, currently battling for life in an army hospital in New Delhi.

Moved by the indomitable spirit and plight of the soldier who survived all odds after being trapped for six days under tonnes of snow and ice following an avalanche on the treacherous icy warfield, Raju called up IANS Mumbai to make the offer.

Lance Naik Hanamanthappa Koppad who miraculously survived under 35 feet of ice and snow at the avalanche-hit army post in Siachen glacier continues to be critical, according to army hospital authorities (Photo: IANS)

"I request doctors at the Army Hospital (R&R) to contact me immediately and I can go to New Delhi... I am ready to donate any organ, including liver, kidney... We must save our fellow brother who is critical," said Raju, a resident of Bhayander in adjoining Thane district.

Meanwhile, the condition of Lance Naik Hanumanthappa Koppad has deteriorated, army doctors said on Wednesday.

More than a day after the soldier was admitted here, the Army Research and Referral Hospital said on Wednesday evening that his condition had worsened "despite aggressive therapy and supportive care".

Koppad was found from under 35 feet of ice at an avalanche-hit army post in the Siachen glacier in Jammu and Kashmir -- six days after he and nine other soldiers were buried. The bodies of the other nine have been found.

"He continues to remain extremely critical with evidence of oxygen deprivation to the brain on CT scan. There is evidence of pneumonia in both lungs," a medical bulletin said.

"His multi-organ dysfunction state continues unabated. His condition has deteriorated despite aggressive therapy and supportive care."

Koppad is on ventilator in the ICU at the hospital, where he was admitted on Tuesday.

An earlier bulletin said the soldier "continues to battle the odds".

"... his medical condition remains very critical... The medical team ... is treating him with best expertise and resources available in the world."

Doctors treating the soldier, whose survival is being seen as a miracle, include top critical care specialists, head of the department of medicine, senior nephrologists and neurologists from the army hospital as well as the All India Institute of Medical Sciences.

Asked how he survived the hostile weather for six long days, a doctor from the army hospital said they have no account of what exactly happened.

"Only when Lance Naik Koppad gains consciousness we will be able to get an account of how he managed to survive," the doctor told IANS.

Koppad and the other soldiers were hit by the avalanche at an altitude of around 20,500 feet.

He was found miraculously alive just when the rescuers were beginning to lose hope.

The soldier was found conscious but drowsy and disoriented. He was also severely dehydrated and in shock.

He had pneumonia and was suffering from liver and kidney dysfunction. But there was no cold exposure related frost bite or bone injuries.

Koppad's family from Karnataka, including his wife, are staying in the hospital complex, praying -- like millions across the country -- for his recovery. - IANS