Medical specialists in Britain say Malala Yousafzai, a Pakistani schoolgirl who was flown to the United Kingdom for treatment after being shot in the head and neck by Taliban militants in a targeted assassination attempt, "has a chance of making a good recovery."
The case of 14-year-old Yousafzai has prompted prayer vigils and denunciations of the Taliban by millions of people in the region and around the world.
Yousufzai arrived at a hospital in Birmingham, England late on October 15 for specialized treatment of her severe wounds.
She had been flown out of a facility in Peshawar, Pakistan earlier the same day.
The Birmingham hospital reported on October 16 that several people who turned up claiming -- apparently falsely -- to be Yousafzai's relatives had been arrested at the facility.
Dave Rosser, the Queen Elizabeth Hospital’s medical director, said her treatment and rehabilitation could take months.
"The doctors, some of whom were people from here in the children's hospital, believed that she has a chance of making a good recovery, because it clearly would have been inappropriate on every level, not least for her, to put her through all this, if there was no hope of a decent recovery," Rosser said. "So, I've not seen her, but it is clear that they believe there is a chance of a decent recovery."
Medal Of Honor
He said the hospital has extensive experience handling British soldiers injured in battle and advanced medical equipment.
Taliban militants shot the girl in Pakistan’s northwest one week ago.
She had been supporting peace efforts and education for girls -- something opposed by the extremist Islamist militia.
Two of her classmates were less seriously wounded in the attack and are receiving treatment in Pakistan.
Pakistan has announced a Medal of Courage for Yousafzai and Interior Minister Rehman Malik also says a $1 million bounty is being offered for Ehsanullah Ehsan, the Pakistani Taliban spokesman who said the Taliban was responsible for shooting her and who threatened further attacks against her.
British police say they turned away two people who tried to visit Yousafzai overnight by claiming to be members of her family.
Police described the pair as "well-wishers" who were stopped and questioned.
Police say they recorded details about the identity of the pair and turned them away.
The case of 14-year-old Yousafzai has prompted prayer vigils and denunciations of the Taliban by millions of people in the region and around the world.
Yousufzai arrived at a hospital in Birmingham, England late on October 15 for specialized treatment of her severe wounds.
She had been flown out of a facility in Peshawar, Pakistan earlier the same day.
The Birmingham hospital reported on October 16 that several people who turned up claiming -- apparently falsely -- to be Yousafzai's relatives had been arrested at the facility.
Dave Rosser, the Queen Elizabeth Hospital’s medical director, said her treatment and rehabilitation could take months.
"The doctors, some of whom were people from here in the children's hospital, believed that she has a chance of making a good recovery, because it clearly would have been inappropriate on every level, not least for her, to put her through all this, if there was no hope of a decent recovery," Rosser said. "So, I've not seen her, but it is clear that they believe there is a chance of a decent recovery."
Medal Of Honor
He said the hospital has extensive experience handling British soldiers injured in battle and advanced medical equipment.
Taliban militants shot the girl in Pakistan’s northwest one week ago.
She had been supporting peace efforts and education for girls -- something opposed by the extremist Islamist militia.
Two of her classmates were less seriously wounded in the attack and are receiving treatment in Pakistan.
Pakistan has announced a Medal of Courage for Yousafzai and Interior Minister Rehman Malik also says a $1 million bounty is being offered for Ehsanullah Ehsan, the Pakistani Taliban spokesman who said the Taliban was responsible for shooting her and who threatened further attacks against her.
British police say they turned away two people who tried to visit Yousafzai overnight by claiming to be members of her family.
Police described the pair as "well-wishers" who were stopped and questioned.
Police say they recorded details about the identity of the pair and turned them away.
