Manisha Kachhadiya saved her 8-month-old baby, Dhyaansh, during the tragic Air India IC171 crash in Ahmedabad on June 12. The crash killed 260 people when the plane hit the residential quarters of BJ Medical College, but baby Dhyaansh survived; his mother used her own body to shield him from the flames.

Even after both suffered serious burn injuries, Manisha later donated her own skin to help her baby recover.

Manisha and her son were released from the hospital last week after undergoing nearly five weeks of intensive medical care.

The family lived in the BJ Medical College hostel. Dhyaansh’s father, Kapil Kachhadiya, a super-speciality student in urology, was on duty at the hospital when the plane crashed into their residential building.

Manisha said there was a sudden blackout, followed by intense heat and smoke inside their home.

“There was a blackout for a second and then our residence was filled with heat,” she told The Times of India.

Holding her baby close, she ran through the smoke, unable to see. She sustained 25% burn injuries on her hands and face, while Dhyaansh suffered 36% burns on his face, chest, arms, and abdomen.

“There was a moment I thought we would not make it out. But I had to, for my child. We have both been through pain I cannot put into words,” she added.

The two were taken to KD Hospital, where Dhyaansh was rushed to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Doctors said his case was extremely complicated because of his age and the extent of burns.

He needed ventilator support, fluid treatment, blood transfusions, and very careful monitoring to prevent infection.

When it came time for skin grafts, Manisha again protected her son by donating her own skin to help his wounds heal.

“It was deeply touching because of the mother's instinctive courage to save her child,” said Dr Adit Desai, managing director of KD Hospital. “From a medical standpoint, every department came together to ensure the best possible outcome.”

The hospital offered free treatment to six victims of the crash, among them Manisha and Dhyaansh.

Plastic surgeon Dr Rutvij Parikh said that both the baby’s and the mother’s skin were used to help with healing. Because of Dhyaansh's young age, the team had to be extra cautious to avoid infections and ensure normal growth.

The baby’s lungs were also affected, with blood collecting in one side. He was kept on ventilator support and given a drainage tube until his lungs could fully expand, explained Dr Snehal Patel.

Behind the scenes, Kapil, the baby’s father, played a key role in recovery.

“Dr Kapil's involvement as a father helped enormously. As a medical professional himself, he often made sure the dressings were done properly, even in the middle of the night,” said Dr Parikh.

Other doctors involved in the treatment included Dr Tushar Patel and Dr Mansi Dandnaik.

After more than a month of fighting pain and injuries, Manisha and her baby have finally been discharged from the hospital. Doctors say their recovery has been satisfactory.

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