JEDDAH: An Indian shepherd seriously injured in a car accident is recovering after a successful operation at Jeddah National Hospital. A native of Azamgadh, Uttar Pradesh, Ansar Ahmed, 35, was found at the Baithul Hujjaj in Kandara in a paralyzed state with immobility to his limbs after his spinal column was injured in an accident. His condition is satisfactory now and the patient is recovering following the surgery conducted by Dr. Salih Bakkeeny, said hospital sources. The Volunteers of India Fraternity Forum brought Ahmed to the attention of hospital staff.
Hospital authorities say the surgery cost SR40,000 and the Indian Consulate pledged half of the cost so that the surgery could take place.
After his arrival in the Kingdom in January 2008, Ahmad had been working as a shepherd with his sponsor Mohammed Sabah in Hawiya, Taif. On the advice of his employer, Ahmed came to Jeddah in search of job as he found the herdsman’s job was not suitable to him. Ahmed’s elder brother died in Riyadh a few years ago. Hailing from a very poor family, Ahmed has a wife, Satharunnisa, and a two-year-old child back home. He has also to support his younger brother as their parents had died.
