Ahmedabad: Ahmedabad Civil Hospital has once again saved the lives of two young children through timely diagnosis, advanced medical procedures, and dedicated care. February 2026 proved to be a testing period for two families from Banaskantha and Ahmedabad, but the team of expert doctors at Civil Hospital gave both children a new lease of life through their commitment and medical expertise.

Case 1: Tragedy During Play and Sumanba’s New Life

A tragic incident struck the family of farmers Arjunbhai and Kisnaba from a small village in Banaskantha on the night of February 23. While playing with her five-year-old elder brother, the trigger of an airgun was accidentally pressed, and a pellet pierced the chest of their one-year-old daughter, Sumanba.

After receiving initial treatment at Palanpur Civil Hospital, the child was referred to Ahmedabad Civil Hospital due to the seriousness of her condition. The major challenge was that the pellet had entered her chest but had not exited.

A detailed examination by Dr. Rakesh Joshi, Professor and Head of the Department of Pediatric Surgery, and his team revealed that the pellet was lodged dangerously close to the spinal cord. On February 26, doctors successfully removed the pellet through a complex thoracoscopic surgery. Today, Sumanba has fully recovered and returned home with her parents.

The surgery was carried out by Dr. Rakesh Joshi and Dr. Jayshree Ramji along with their surgical team, while Dr. Seema Gandhi and Dr. Mrinalini from the Department of Anaesthesia provided critical support during the procedure.

Sumanba’s father expressed his gratitude, saying,
“Our daughter was bleeding and we were terrified about what would happen next. But the doctors at Civil Hospital gave her a new life. The entire treatment was done free of cost, and today our Sumanba is smiling again. Civil Hospital has been like God for us.”

Case 2: Breathing Crisis – Doctors Remove Stone Stuck in Airway

In another critical case, the son of Temur Ali, a daily wage worker from the Ramol area of Ahmedabad, developed severe breathing problems and sudden coughing after eating soil on February 19.

The child was initially taken to two different private hospitals, where he was treated for pneumonia. However, his condition did not improve. As time passed, his breathing difficulties worsened, and he was eventually placed on ventilator support at Sola Civil Hospital.

A CT scan later revealed that a small stone was stuck in the trachea, severely affecting the child’s lungs. By the time the problem was diagnosed, the condition had already become critical.

On February 26, the child was brought to Ahmedabad Civil Hospital. Doctors immediately decided to perform emergency surgery while keeping him on ventilator support, as the lodged stone could have blocked his airway at any moment.

Dr. Rakesh Joshi, Dr. Seema Gandhi, and their team performed the delicate procedure. As soon as the stone was removed from the trachea, the child’s condition improved significantly, giving him a new lease of life.

Temur Ali’s father said,
“Our son was struggling to breathe and his condition was worsening day by day. The case was very complicated and he had to be placed on a ventilator. But the doctors at Civil Hospital made the correct diagnosis and saved his life.”

Message from Doctors: Vigilance is the Best Protection

Highlighting these incidents, Civil Hospital Superintendent and Head of the Pediatric Surgery Department, Dr. Rakesh Joshi, urged parents to remain vigilant and take preventive precautions:

• Never leave small children unattended while playing.
• Keep airguns, small stones, coins, and toy parts out of children’s reach.
• If a child suddenly develops persistent coughing or breathing difficulty, seek medical attention at a specialist hospital immediately.

Dr. Joshi also noted that both critically ill children received treatment completely free of cost. He said the successful outcomes reflect not only the capabilities of modern medical science but also the commitment and sensitivity of the state’s public healthcare system.

With the combination of advanced technology and skilled medical professionals, Ahmedabad Civil Hospital has once again proven to be a ray of hope for poor and middle-class families. DeshGujarat