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Ali Abass' Condition Is Improving Following Surgery

Aired April 17, 2003 - 15:49   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: A doctor at a hospital in Kuwait says the condition of Ali Ismaeel Abbas has improved following surgery to put temporary skin grafts over deep burns on much of his body. Ali, who is 12 years old, lost both his arms, both parents and his brother when a U.S. missile hit his home near Baghdad. ITN's Mark Webster is covering the story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MARK WEBSTER, ITV NEWS (voice-over): Secluded now in intensive care, Ali will be given several days of rest before skin grafts begin. Last night it was already clear he was making good progress after the operation to remove the badly burnt skin. Today, doctors were increasing his liquid and food intake to build his strength. The doctor in charge of his treatment said Ali was much more cheerful.

DR. IMAD EL-NGADA, ALI'S PLASTIC SURGEON: Very happy today. Today he received a gift and he received a playstation. And he thinks it's wonderful now he has a toy like any boy in the world.

WEBSTER: His uncle Mohammed (ph), who traveled with him from Baghdad, agreed, but said his real problem was coming to terms with the loss of his parents.

(on camera): He knows the worst then, and you believe he can cope with that, even though he's so young?

(voice-over): "He is still wondering how he'll come to terms with his new life," his uncle said. But later, he added, "Ali also hopes that when he gets artificial limbs he may have a better life than he had before." "Whatever happens," his uncle says, "Ali believes it's god's will."

(on camera): Ali needs at least two operations to graft skin from his back on to his chest, and will spend several weeks in intensive care. Once he's strong enough, he'll have his artificial limbs fitted, but his uncle says he feels sure that his nephew will have the strength and courage to pull through. Mark Webster, ITV News, Kuwait.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com






Aired April 17, 2003 - 15:49   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: A doctor at a hospital in Kuwait says the condition of Ali Ismaeel Abbas has improved following surgery to put temporary skin grafts over deep burns on much of his body. Ali, who is 12 years old, lost both his arms, both parents and his brother when a U.S. missile hit his home near Baghdad. ITN's Mark Webster is covering the story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MARK WEBSTER, ITV NEWS (voice-over): Secluded now in intensive care, Ali will be given several days of rest before skin grafts begin. Last night it was already clear he was making good progress after the operation to remove the badly burnt skin. Today, doctors were increasing his liquid and food intake to build his strength. The doctor in charge of his treatment said Ali was much more cheerful.

DR. IMAD EL-NGADA, ALI'S PLASTIC SURGEON: Very happy today. Today he received a gift and he received a playstation. And he thinks it's wonderful now he has a toy like any boy in the world.

WEBSTER: His uncle Mohammed (ph), who traveled with him from Baghdad, agreed, but said his real problem was coming to terms with the loss of his parents.

(on camera): He knows the worst then, and you believe he can cope with that, even though he's so young?

(voice-over): "He is still wondering how he'll come to terms with his new life," his uncle said. But later, he added, "Ali also hopes that when he gets artificial limbs he may have a better life than he had before." "Whatever happens," his uncle says, "Ali believes it's god's will."

(on camera): Ali needs at least two operations to graft skin from his back on to his chest, and will spend several weeks in intensive care. Once he's strong enough, he'll have his artificial limbs fitted, but his uncle says he feels sure that his nephew will have the strength and courage to pull through. Mark Webster, ITV News, Kuwait.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com