Doctor saves Barak Valley man with live Koi fish stuck in his throat

Today morning, a group of panicking people rushed to the model hospital in Baraigram, located in Patherkandi, Karimganj. One of the attendants rushed to the doctor, Rohan Biswas (also the president of The Commoners) and said,  “Sir Chacha’r Golat Mach Atki Gese” which translates to ‘there is a fish stuck in my uncle’s throat.

“It was about 7:30 in the morning, I thought it is a fishbone and started examining. To my bewilderment, I saw caudal fins of a fish and profuse bleeding in his mouth,” said Biswas. Yes, however difficult it is to believe but that was the case. The patient, a 50-year-old resident of Baraigram area, Ali Hussain had a live Koi fish (Climbing perch) stuck in his throat.

Doctor Biswas initially asked the attendants to call 108 (emergency ambulance service) as the patient needs to be referred to Silchar Medical College and Hospital. The live Koi fish was trying its best to save its life, its sharp fins were piercing through Hussain’s throat and he was bleeding. The fish needed to be removed by following an endoscopic process which is generally done in proper operation theatre with adequate infrastructure.

“Looking at the patient’s pain and as he was willing to co-operate I agreed to try once as he was on the verge of chocking. Each time I tried to catch hold of the fish the patient swallowed and that was taking that fish deeper inside,” said Biswas. Adding, “Luckily, the size of the fish was big enough to allow me the time and I eventually managed to pull the fish out of his throat. Credit goes to the patient as well, he cooperated.”

Had Hussain swallowed the live Koi fish in, only surgery could have saved him. At the same time, he could have easily chocked and gone breathless. While it now reads like a funny story, Hussain actually had a narrow escape.

He is a fisherman by profession and had gone to the lake for fishing early today at around 6:30 AM. He caught the Koi fish which was trying its best to escape. Hussain Ali thought he would trap the fish between his teeth and continue fishing. The Koi fish slipped through and got stuck inside Ali’s throat.