Monika Mahto, a special athlete who claimed gold and silver medals in badminton at the 2019 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Abu Dhabi, is critically ill and is on a ventilator at Tata Main Hospital.

The 27-year-old is suffering from severe jaundice and has been undergoing treatment at the High Dependency Unit of the hospital since Tuesday. Doctors will keep her on a ventilator for two more days before providing any assessment about her health. She will also undergo dialysis.

"My daughter is very serious. The doctor will keep her on a ventilator for two days. She will also undergo dialysis. I am very concerned about the health of Monika and pray to the almighty for her recovery," said her (Monika) mother Lakshmi, a resident of Tinplate locality of the steel city.

According to her, Monika is suffering from severe jaundice which has affected her liver, kidneys and other organs, Lakshmi, a homemaker said.

Special Olympics Jharkhand (SOJ) assistant area director Satbir Singh Sahota expressed concern over the condition of Monika. "She (Monika) represented the country's badminton squad and claimed a gold (in singles) and a silver (in doubles) at the Special Olympics World Summer Games in Abu Dhabi. She's a talented shuttler whose condition is very critical. Monika's family is not economically well off (her father is a retired driver). She has an elder and a younger brother. I am very concerned about the health of Monika. Only a miracle can save her," he informed.

Sahota, a former international cyclist, said it would be difficult for Monika's family to meet the expenses for her treatment.

"Social organizations of the city should come forward and help the family monetarily. We would chip in with support," the SOJ assistant area director said.

According to him, Monika has suffered from mental retardation since childhood. "Monika was married in February last year. Her husband is from Giridih. Monika conceived but unfortunately had a miscarriage. She suffered from jaundice during pregnancy and was shifted to Jamshedpur in an ambulance four days back. Some of the hospitals in Jamshedpur refused to admit her. Finally, Monika was admitted to Tata Main Hospital. She was already critical and precious time was lost for her treatment. I pray Monika comes out of her critical condition," Jamshedpur-based Sahota added.

Notably, the steel city lost a special international powerlifter, Nurul Hassan, last month while he was undergoing treatment at Tata Main Hospital.