The condition of Monika Mahto, a special athlete who is undergoing treatment for severe jaundice at Tata Main Hospital, has improved remarkably and she is off the ventilator.

The 27-year-old, who was on a ventilator and also underwent dialysis at the High Dependency Unit of the hospital, has been shifted to the ward. However, barring attending nature's call, Monika's movement is restricted.

Special Olympics Jharkhand assistant area director Satbir Singh Sahota, who went to the hospital to meet Monika on Monday evening, said chances of the special athlete's survival has increased. "She (Monika) is off the ventilator and has been shifted to the ward. She has not fully recovered from jaundice but her condition has shown remarkable improvement in the past couple of days. Monika is being given boiled food at the hospital," he added.

Severe jaundice has affected her liver, kidneys and other organs and it would take a week or so before she is discharged from the healing hub.

Sahota, a former international cyclist, said expenses towards Monika's treatment has crossed Rs 2 lakh. "Her parents have somehow arranged money but we would also extend monetary help to the family. We have also sought financial help from Special Olympics Bharat and corporate houses since the family is not economically well off. I have been receiving innumerable messages from our (Special Olympics Jharkhand) members who have prayed for Monika's recovery. Monika is out of danger. It is due to the blessings of well-wishers," Jamshedpur-based Sahota added.

According to him, Monika smiled and looked happy when he met her at the hospital."She (Monika) said she wanted to play badminton with me. I felt so glad on hearing this. Monika's positivity is infectious," Sahota recalled.

Monika claimed gold and silver (in badminton) for the country at the 2019 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Abu Dhabi.

The special shuttler's mother Lakshmi heaved a sigh of relief. "My daughter is off the ventilator and has been shifted to the ward. It's a huge relief for me and my family. Thanks to the almighty," Lakshmi, a resident of Tinplate locality of the steel city, added.

Monika has suffered from mental retardation since childhood. She was married in February last year. Her husband is from Giridih. The special athlete conceived but unfortunately had a miscarriage. She suffered from jaundice during pregnancy and was shifted to Jamshedpur in an ambulance nine days back. Some of the hospitals in Jamshedpur refused to admit her. Finally, Monika was admitted to Tata Main Hospital.