Patient transported from Turkey after spinal-cord injury is stable; doctors urge caution when diving
Director of the TOARILUC clinic says the patient is conscious, breathing on his own and beginning rehabilitation; transfer to traumatology planned next week.
A patient flown from Turkey after a severe spinal cord injury is now in stable condition, with normal vital signs and no immediate threat to life, the director of the TOARILUC clinic, Dr. Igor Merdžanovski, said on Sunday.
The patient is responsive, conscious, breathing independently and has begun taking food orally. He is receiving physical therapy in the intensive care unit as part of his early recovery.
"The patient is in good condition. Vital parameters are stable. Yesterday he had a raised temperature, but all tests for infection were negative and it is most likely a reaction to the transport and the prior surgery. From today he began to eat by mouth and we have an improvement in the general condition," Dr. Merdžanovski said.
Transfer and rehabilitation plan
Hospital officials expect the patient to be moved next week to the Traumatology Department, where an intensive rehabilitation programme will continue before transfer to a specialized centre for further recovery.
Asked whether the clinic had admitted cases this summer of severe injuries caused by diving into shallow water, Dr. Merdžanovski said the unit has not treated such patients this year, aside from the young man injured in Turkey. He stressed the need to keep prevention efforts aimed at children and parents active.
"People should not jump into pools or untested waters. If they do so, it must be in controlled conditions and under professional supervision," Merdžanovski emphasized, urging safer behaviour around water.
Doctors warned that these accidents frequently involve the cervical vertebrae and the spinal cord and rank among the most serious traumatic injuries. In the majority of cases such damage is irreversible and can cause lifelong disability.
Photo: press material from the event
