In a powerful story of resilience, 33-year-old Pinku Mani Talukdar from Guwahati has made a remarkable recovery after a devastating road accident, thanks to the expert trauma and reconstructive care she received at Amrita Hospital, Faridabad — one of India’s most advanced quaternary care institutions.
On January 20, 2025, Pinku was riding pillion with her husband on a scooter when a speeding truck hit them. Pinku was dragged several metres, sustaining catastrophic injuries to her right leg, buttock, and perineal region. Large areas of skin, muscle, and soft tissue were torn away, exposing her to rapidly progressing sepsis and a life-threatening situation.
After initial stabilisation at a local hospital in Guwahati, doctors recommended urgent transfer to a higher tertiary centre. She was airlifted to Delhi — only to be turned away by several leading hospitals due to bed shortages or the complexity of her condition.
“We were desperate and helpless,” recalled her husband, Bhrigu Talukdar. “Every hospital said no. Finally, a nurse at one of the Delhi hospitals suggested Amrita Hospital in Faridabad. That advice changed our lives.”
The couple arrived at Amrita Hospital on the evening of January 25. Despite it being a weekend, Dr. Shikha Gupta, Senior Consultant, Department of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, assessed Pinku immediately.
“Her condition was critical — extensive tissue loss, multiple fractures, and early sepsis,” said Dr. Shikha. “We couldn’t afford to wait. On Sunday, January 26, we performed emergency debridement and staged reconstructive procedures. Our priority was to control infection, preserve limb function, and rebuild lost tissue. It was a multi-stage journey, but we were committed to saving her leg — and her life.”
Timely surgical intervention and staged reconstruction played a critical role in salvaging the lower limb and avoiding amputation. Early decision-making and coordination across specialties made all the difference in preserving both life and function, said Dr. Mohit Sharma, Head of the Department of Plastic Surgery, Amrita Hospital.
Pinku underwent a total of 18 surgeries, including complex flap reconstructions, and remained in intensive care for several weeks. Remarkably, she began walking even before discharge.
“From the moment I arrived, I felt I was in the right hands,” Pinku recalled. “Dr. Shikha told me, ‘I will cure you, don’t worry.’ That one line gave me the courage to fight. The care I received — medical and emotional — was beyond anything I’ve ever experienced.”
Now back home in Guwahati, Pinku is mobile, independent, and on the path to full recovery.
“We want the world to know what this hospital has done for us,” said Bhrigu. “We visited top institutions, but none were as compassionate and responsive as Amrita.”
This case underscores not just the complexity of modern trauma care, but also the critical role of timely intervention, multi-disciplinary expertise, and institutional commitment — even during off-hours.
“This is a reminder that with the right team and readiness, even the most challenging cases can have successful outcomes,” said Dr. Shikha Gupta. “At Amrita Hospital, we believe no patient should be turned away because of complexity.”
