As Aruna Shanbaug struggles on a ventilator in the intensive care unit (ICU), nurses and other paramedical workers at KEM Hospital who have been her support for nearly 40 years are praying for her quick recovery.

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They have been her family, caring for her in the ground floor ward, since she suffered brain damage due to asphyxiation, after she was raped and assaulted by a hospital sweeper. This is the first time they required to move her to the ICU.

“We have been with her since we were students. All the nurses have taken turns to care for Aruna and most of them visit the ward daily,” said SR Bhosle, former matron at KEM who retired in June.

She explained that it was a joy for them to look after their colleague. “She is a brave woman and has struggled all the way. We are very hopeful that she will recover and get back to the ward. We are praying for her quick recovery,” Bhosle said.

In 2009, when the Supreme Court admitted a plea for euthanasia, the nurses opposed this and coaxed the hospital dean, Dr Sanjay Oak, to fight the petition.

“We have taken care of her all these years and we are optimistic that she will get better. We will be here for her till the end,” said one of the nurses.