Rape victim better, is optimistic about her future: Docs

The 23-year-old girl, who was raped and brutally assaulted in a moving bus here last Sunday night, is "responding to treatment" and is "psychologically composed and optimistic about her future", doctors treating her at Safdarjung hospital said on Saturday.

In a medical bulletin, Medical Superintendent Dr B D Athani said that the hospital's two senior psychiatrists -- Dr Kuldeep Kumar and Dr Abhilasha Yadav -- met the patient and tried to map a very preliminary psychological profile of the patient.

"She appears composed psychologically," observed Dr Kuldeep.

The doctors said that it was the first attempt to assess the psychological condition of the patient.

"We approached her by asking dignified and respectful questions, and she has responded well to routine questions."

"She is extraordinarily well psychologically, and she appears to be optimistic about her future," Dr Kuldeep added.

The doctors and the psychiatrists lauded the young patient.

"She is a very brave girl and is very optimistic," Dr Abhilasha said. 

The doctors also informed that the patient was relatively more active and alert as compared to her condition on Friday.

Doctors said she is breathing on her own without the support of ventilator and most of her vital parameters are normal.

"She is doing much better than yesterday (Friday). She took sips of water and apple juice today. The White Blood Cells count today is 2,600 as against yesterday's 1,500," Dr B D Athani said.

On the contrary, her platelet count has gone down while the level of bilirubin, the yellow breakdown product of normal heme catabolism, has increased to 5.9 from Friday's 5.1, which is a cause of concern as it could affect functioning of liver.

Total Lymphocyte Count (TLC) has come down which means there are chances of infection in her body, doctors said, adding that she has started communicating.

Athani said the patient would be administered four platelet-rich plasma today and noted that super specialists are charting out the management course.