Malala, girls' rights activist, undergoes successful surgery to reconstruct skull

LONDON – Days after she was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, a Pakistani schoolgirl who had been shot in the head by the Taliban underwent a successful surgery at a British hospital to reconstruct her skull and help her to restore her hearing.


A team of doctors carried out a five-hour operation on Saturday on 15-year-old Malala Yousufzai, who was shot in October and brought to Britain for treatment.

The procedures carried out were cranial reconstruction, aimed at mending parts of her skull with a titanium plate, and a cochlear implant designed to restore hearing on her left side, which was damaged in the attack.


Fifteen-year-old Malala Yousufzai was shot by the Taliban for speaking out against Pakistani militants and promoting education for girls.

"Both operations were a success and Malala is now recovering in hospital," said a statement on Sunday from the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, central England, where she is being treated.

The girl's condition was described as stable and the statement said her medical team were very pleased with the progress she has made. "She is awake and talking to staff and members of her family," it added.

The attack on Yousufzai, who was shot in the head at point blank range as she left school in the Swat valley, drew widespread international condemnation. The Taliban had targeted her for her outspoken advocacy of girls’ education. She had written a column about her daily life at school for the BBC.

She has become an international symbol of resistance to the Taliban's efforts to deny women education and other rights, and more than 250,000 people have signed online petitions calling for her to be nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize.

Yousufzai will now continue recuperating at the Queen Elizabeth hospital, which has a specialist unit where doctors have treated hundreds of soldiers wounded in conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq, the hospital statement said.

Related: 

Malala, teen champion of girls' rights, nominated for Nobel Peace Prize 

Video: Next hurdle for Malala after Taliban attack: Skull surgery

Video: Outpouring of support for Pakistani teen attacked by Taliban

 

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I was worrying about this procedure, now I can watch the super bowl with peace of mind. Thank you Malala for everything you've done and giving us all strength. I wish you a quick recovery and a bright future, I truly believe that you have the courage to change Pakistan, and the rest of the world, for the better.

  • 18 votes
Reply#1 - Sun Feb 3, 2013 4:23 PM EST

Such a courageous young lady. I wish her a speedy and complete recovery. Her poise in such a difficult position is amazing.

  • 16 votes
#1.1 - Sun Feb 3, 2013 7:04 PM EST

You know...I have to say...I'm a BIG Obama supporter...but even I have to admit that this brave lady deserves the Nobel Peace Prize much more than Obama did....for that matter any U.S. President.

  • 7 votes
#1.2 - Sun Feb 3, 2013 11:30 PM EST

Only few cases like Malala have been highlighted since Pakistan, a pure Islamic nation, was invented by the British.

Another most rabid Islamic hell hole Saudi Arabia was invented by the British.

Malala case is nothing compared to worst cases of crimes on females and occasional resistence.

World has been completly ignoring the issues of rights of females in those and other basket case nations.

  • 7 votes
#1.3 - Mon Feb 4, 2013 12:06 AM EST

Oh, Jonathan, get off it. The Muslims in the areas that became Pakistan and Saudi Arabia mistreated women for centuries before the British came around--the arbitrary nation-making had nothing to do with it. The Muslims just had fewer non-Muslims to mistreat.

The big problem was giving the roving tribes the concept of owning land and the resources underground. These camel-jockey asswipes had no concept of industry or any real work besides fighting and slave-owning. Once the West gave them money from oil, they could afford to wreak havoc all over the world--and all still without doing any work.

  • 5 votes
#1.4 - Mon Feb 4, 2013 2:17 AM EST

"She has become an international symbol of resistance to the Taliban's efforts to deny women education and other rights, and more than 250,000 people have signed online petitions calling for her to be nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize."

Example of inventing and keep promoting the Islamic extremist problems and then acting as a saint!

India or Russia would have wiped Pakistan out of the map but for the US, British and some other European nations help!

Saddam would have wiped out Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and some more Sunni Islamic extremist fountainheads but for NATO forces!

Here monies and favors of oil rich Sunni rulers, oil companies, extremist Jewish lobby and their lobbyists played a major part.

Most of what were done before and during Iraqi wars were pure hoax shows.

    #1.5 - Mon Feb 4, 2013 3:18 AM EST

    This is great news. I'm happy to hear how well she is doing and to learn that the attempt to silence her has been such a fail of the biggest proportions. Instead of silencing her they have amplified her message a billion times.

    • 1 vote
    #1.6 - Mon Feb 4, 2013 5:57 AM EST

    The Nobel Prize meant much more prior to it being awarded to a undeserving, do nothing President. Perhaps she can redeem it's importance.

    • 3 votes
    #1.7 - Mon Feb 4, 2013 9:41 AM EST

    Basically...Obama was awarded the Nobel for peace because the world collectively breathed a sigh of relief that Bush was no longer in control. They would have given it to Honey Boo Boo if she had been elected after 8 years of Bush.

    • 2 votes
    #1.8 - Mon Feb 4, 2013 10:47 AM EST

    Honey Boo Boo would have been an equal candidate to Ovomit and Al Gore for the Nobel prize, as this would have made equal mockery of the Nobel prize. I am so glad Malalah was chosen as a candidate, because she truly is worthy, unlike the 3 candidates I mentioned. God Bless and protect Malalah.

    • 2 votes
    #1.9 - Mon Feb 4, 2013 1:29 PM EST
    Reply

    Get well soon, Malala! (Hope you get the Nobel!)

    • 24 votes
    Reply#2 - Sun Feb 3, 2013 4:24 PM EST

    remember it's the evil christian west helping her

    • 16 votes
    Reply#3 - Sun Feb 3, 2013 4:43 PM EST

    Noticed that. Like your sarcasm. Too bad Muslims are too stupid to understand it.

    • 8 votes
    #3.1 - Sun Feb 3, 2013 8:26 PM EST

    Saying stupid, ignorant, hateful crap like that doesn't make you look very smart either Pray Hard. I see you claim to follow Jesus by your screen name. Ever thought of actually practicing Christianity?

    • 4 votes
    #3.2 - Sun Feb 3, 2013 11:33 PM EST

    "a Pakistani schoolgirl who had been shot in the head by the Taliban underwent a successful surgery at a British hospital to reconstruct her skull and help her to restore her hearing."

    Just examine who invented Pakistan and Saudi Arabia and who are keeping them on the map!

    • 2 votes
    #3.3 - Mon Feb 4, 2013 12:22 AM EST

    Oh, Jonathan, get off it. The Muslims in the areas that became Pakistan and Saudi Arabia mistreated women for centuries before the British came around--the arbitrary nation-making had nothing to do with it. The Muslims just had fewer non-Muslims to mistreat.

    The big problem was giving the roving tribes the concept of owning land and the resources underground. These camel-jockey asswipes had no concept of industry or any real work besides fighting and slave-owning. Once the West gave them money from oil, they could afford to wreak havoc all over the world--and all still without doing any work.

    • 2 votes
    #3.4 - Mon Feb 4, 2013 2:19 AM EST

    rachel: Which world are you in?

    The Islamic extremist Frankenstein monsters have started backstabbing big time the inventers of Pakistan, British, and the masters (US and allies) who kept them alive.

    In most of the Islamic terrorism and plots in the US, Britain, Europe and other places, Pakis have a hand.

    Half of NATO forces deaths in Afghanistan are due to Pakis.

    Before followers of Islamic cult set their feet on Afghan and Paki regions, these regions were quite peaceful and prosperous.

    Once the cancer of Islam gradually got control of the region, those regions have become raping, stealing, looting and killing fields.

    In Afghanistan, Paki proxies Taliban did not even tolerate Buddha’s statue in Bamiyan.

    Many Paki areas and some Afghan areas have become breeding and exporting centers for illegal activities including drugs growing and trading and export of Islamic radicals and terrorists all over the world.

    British invented Pakistan in 47 and Pakistan is supposed to be a pure Islamic nation. In Pakistan, it was massive genocides of minorities in between 48-50.

    Percentages of Hindus and Sikhs were reduced from about 24 percent less than three years by rapes, stealing, lootings, terrorizing and killing on a massive scale.

    Paki Islamic religious madness did not end there.

    Sunni Pakis are after Ahmedias, Sufis (fake love and dance Islamic soap opera people), Shiites (20 percent), Hazaras, and Baloochs and other minority sects/tribes.

    Shiites, Sufis, Ahmedias and other minority sects/tribes people are blown up while they pray in their mosques on Fridays. And even hospitals are bombed to kill those injured.

    I know that popularizing oil and discovery of oil in deserts, especially in ME, are mostly US contributions.

    At the same time, oil and auto companies and their lobbyists are preventing use of substitutes for oil with all excuses and explanations!

    Many like you have contributed earlier to Iraqi wars bankrupting many nations and now are in the business by imposing sanctions on Iranian oil and manipulating oil prices sky high!

    IT IS ALL ABOUT MONEY OR FAVORS.

    REST ARE PURE SHOWS WITH NO CONNECTIONS TO BIG WORDS: THEY SAY/POST/SCREAM.

    • 2 votes
    #3.5 - Mon Feb 4, 2013 3:26 AM EST

    Jonathan, can you read? If so, re-read my comments which are merely about the horrors of Islam not really being altered by Britain.

    If not, QUIT POSTING!

      #3.6 - Mon Feb 4, 2013 11:57 AM EST

      rachel: With half-baked knowledge of history, you better QUIT POSTING!

      British did divide and rule and supported Muslims!

      Even now they are big supporters of fountainheads of Islamic extremism: Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.

      Some like you never get into thick h**ds!

        #3.7 - Tue Feb 5, 2013 9:24 AM EST
        Reply

        I am so happy that she has survived and getting better. However, what angers me is that those a...oles that did this to her and ordered this are still walking free. When will we realize that the only way to deal with those animals is to hit them hard and kill them...no negotiations. Kill them all...outlaw Taliban. That is another terrorist organization that cannot be reasoned with.

        • 15 votes
        Reply#4 - Sun Feb 3, 2013 4:52 PM EST

        Nice to see someone else catching on.

        • 3 votes
        #4.1 - Sun Feb 3, 2013 8:24 PM EST

        We've been doing that for 10 years and it hasn't worked. Let me know when we should invade nuclear-armed Pakistan, which is the only way to ever defeat the Taliban.

        • 6 votes
        #4.2 - Sun Feb 3, 2013 11:35 PM EST

        I agree.

        It is impossible to talk with someone who will gladly die in order to kill you. Only thing that can be done is get them before they get you.

        To think people still say Islam is a religion of peace. A religion of peace would not shoot someone for expressing their views.

        • 5 votes
        #4.3 - Mon Feb 4, 2013 12:07 AM EST

        All my respect and admiration to this brave young lady. As for the big brave, sic, thugs who tried to silence her,I have nothing but disgust and contempt.Those individuals should be very afraid, their days are numbered. They should ask themselves, is there more young ladies out there who will eventually stand up for their God-given rights? Where's there's one, more will follow. Once the dam is breached,a flood is sure to follow. So,the two-bit thugs will eventually become irreleveant and that's what scares them so much. Violence and intimidation is all they know.Just two-bit thugs with an 8th century grasp of the present world.

        • 3 votes
        #4.4 - Mon Feb 4, 2013 1:31 AM EST
        Reply

        Speedy recovery to Malala.I'm sorry that she has had to endure more surgery and suffered so much.If there was anybody deserving of the Nobel Peace prize it would be this courageous young lady.

        • 14 votes
        Reply#5 - Sun Feb 3, 2013 5:07 PM EST

        In that case, there will not be enough Nobel Peace Prizes for females of fountainheads of Islamic extremism, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.

        Females, especially those belonging to minorities, are treated worst by these beasts.

        In Saudi Arabia, Sunni youths gang rape a Shiite woman and it is the woman, who is punished by Saudi religious police!

        It was saving those Sunni Islamic mad extremists, US stationed forces without Bibles!

        • 3 votes
        #5.1 - Mon Feb 4, 2013 12:26 AM EST
        Reply

        All the best to you Malala. May your recovery be speedy.

        • 11 votes
        Reply#6 - Sun Feb 3, 2013 5:15 PM EST

        Too bad she was nominated for a joke of an award.

        If she wins she should keep the million and throw the peace prize in the trash.

        I also am wishing her a speedy recovery.

        • 3 votes
        Reply#7 - Sun Feb 3, 2013 6:21 PM EST

        What a cynical prick.

        • 15 votes
        #7.1 - Sun Feb 3, 2013 6:46 PM EST

        Nah !!! She should hock it for a few more bucks.

        • 2 votes
        #7.2 - Sun Feb 3, 2013 8:07 PM EST
        Reply

        Best wishes to you Malala for a speedy recovering and a long and promising future. May your family, school friends and those wanting a better, safer world for girls and women everywhere remember your sacrifice, bravery and hope. Prize or no prize, Malala is an inspiration to everyone wanting change for girls and women everywhere.

        • 13 votes
        Reply#8 - Sun Feb 3, 2013 6:38 PM EST

        The only joke here, is you!

        • 8 votes
        Reply#9 - Sun Feb 3, 2013 6:38 PM EST

        Dennis...have someone show you how to use reply rather than a new message...or stipulate the comment you are addressing...in this case I believe it is #7 who is more than deserving of your succinct comment.

        • 8 votes
        #9.1 - Sun Feb 3, 2013 7:22 PM EST
        Reply

        My thought is whether she and her parents will return to Pakistan or if they will be given asylum in a safer country. I seriously doubt she will be safe if she returns to her homeland. Surely she and her family would be a shoo in for political asylum being granted.

        • 7 votes
        Reply#10 - Sun Feb 3, 2013 7:17 PM EST

        One would think, but it's not necessarily so in Europe. They'll let terrorists in, give them welfare and apologize for their criminal behavior. When it comes to Muslims, it's all about appearances. If they can whitewash Islam enough make it look like this had nothing to do with Islamists, they might let her stay. If it embarrasses Muslims, they will send her back. Don't believe anything I say ... just watch what happens.

        • 2 votes
        #10.1 - Sun Feb 3, 2013 8:21 PM EST

        She could be brought to the US and receive a good life here. Just look at all the illegals from the south who are about to receive carte blanche treatment at taxpayer expense.But at least she would be deserving of it.

        • 5 votes
        #10.2 - Sun Feb 3, 2013 9:24 PM EST

        yeah, gotta hate those religious extremists, especially the cruel violent ones. you know, the ones who led the inquisition, the ones who burned witches, the ones who beat up gays because their holy book says so (on the same page where it tells you to kill your kid if he talks back, or to kill yourself if you sleep in the same bed where your wife is on the rag). you know, the ones whos civil war hero attacked and murdered the indians who were trying to escape to canada after they had been driven off their own land. the ones who refuse to cover contraceptives in womens health insurance. it doesnt take a genius to see the historical trend- more religion=more evil. face it, the loss of religious fervor in this country that the christian fundamentalists decry is the only thing that gives us any progress. whatever good we have in the western world is only due to the slow evolution of society away from vindictive, punishment oriented religious belief and towards rational secular tolerance. yes, these islamic fundamentalists are repulsive, but a hateful christian condemning them is like the man who beats his wife with a hammer talking trash about the man who beats his wife with an axe. youre all as*holes. what we need is some spray that you can apply from the air that makes you lose your faith in your right to make others do what you believe your imaginary idiot in the sky is telling you to do. til then, i guess we'll have to rely on the only thing that works, albeit slowly: peace and prosperity. so maybe we should just pay them for their products and let them spend it the way they want, rather than using the money to attack their country and try to force them to do what we want. starving a country for 50 years like we have cuba is so immoral i dont see how anyone in this country could ever go to the heaven you imagine. maybe if you quit threatening iran with military destruction, the hardliners in their government wouldnt have the political upperhand. maybe if we quit swearing to die for israel no matter how much they become like hitler, they'd back the f*ck off. my only consolation is that the long sweep of history seems to be against religious violence as mankind uses technology to increase prosperity, and, perhaps fitfully, peace. its just a race between progress and people like spit romney who can never enjoy their millions and billions unless most of the population is living like tiny tim in "a christmas carol." the idea that bob cratchet would make enough to live in a four bedroom house just eats away at his soul, even while hes jetting between his mansions in a private jet. and even worse, despite the fact that history shows that he'd have even bigger mansions if his workers made more! sleep well, romneyites!

          #10.3 - Mon Feb 4, 2013 2:31 AM EST
          Reply

          did they ever catch the terroist that did this?????

          Best wishes Malala

          • 4 votes
          Reply#11 - Sun Feb 3, 2013 7:35 PM EST

          Are you joking? That would have to be a Muslim terrorist and as we all know, Islam has nothing to do with terrorism. Well, that's what the entire current administration says. And, we know they always tell us the truth.

          • 1 vote
          #11.1 - Sun Feb 3, 2013 8:23 PM EST

          "We've got to stop being the stupid party"-Bobby Jindal (R)

          Bobby: Exhibit A: Pray Hard. Maybe one of your followers didn't hear you.

          • 1 vote
          #11.2 - Sun Feb 3, 2013 11:37 PM EST

          Hope that terrorist gets away scot-free.

            #11.3 - Mon Feb 4, 2013 12:21 AM EST
            Reply

            godspeed Malala. get well soon!

            • 3 votes
            Reply#12 - Sun Feb 3, 2013 7:40 PM EST

            Malala you are an inspiration to all the female gender through out the world.. I truly hope that you win the Nobel peace prize and go on and live a long and prosperous life continuing to fight for a girls right to be educated.

            • 11 votes
            Reply#13 - Sun Feb 3, 2013 7:49 PM EST

            F that pakistani bltch.

              #13.1 - Mon Feb 4, 2013 12:20 AM EST
              Reply

              This girl is living proof that those savages will never change.

              • 3 votes
              Reply#14 - Sun Feb 3, 2013 7:53 PM EST

              Don't move back to Pakistan. Leave Islam. Don't look back.

              Yes, Virginia, there is a bogeyman and his name is Mohammed.

              Islam is poison.

              • 10 votes
              Reply#15 - Sun Feb 3, 2013 8:19 PM EST

              People like you are just like them Pray Hard. Our own version of the Taliban: Religious, hateful, intolerant, and ignorant.

              • 2 votes
              #15.1 - Sun Feb 3, 2013 11:38 PM EST

              @yakfitguy - why are you dumping on Pray Hard? He didn't shoot anybody in the skull, or blow himself up in a market, on a bus full of school kids, or at a US embassy - those things are done everyday by Islamists. I think spending all that money and time on this girl is ridiculous - she's just going to start popping out babies in a year or two and raising them to be terrorists who will probably come back to Britain and blow up the hospital where she received her free medical services.

              There was nothing heroic about her.

              • 1 vote
              #15.2 - Mon Feb 4, 2013 9:50 AM EST

              Not dumping at all. The only thing that separates Christian extremists and Muslim ones, is that we have a stable, functioning republic. Take away that secular protection, and these people would be throwing gays, Muslims, Taoists (like myself), and others in concentration camps.

              If you need proof of what Christian extremists are capable of, see all of history, starting in the early 4th century.

              • 1 vote
              #15.3 - Mon Feb 4, 2013 4:58 PM EST

              Hmmm, yeah, I saw that Islamists TRIED to conquer Europe but was stopped by Charles Martel. How many women and children did they kill during their conquests??? Give me a break!

              • 1 vote
              #15.4 - Tue Feb 5, 2013 4:00 AM EST
              Reply

              im not sure she would be any safer in the states , heck , muslims everywhere , theyve even flooded washington & the white house (check reports on visitors logs), they can even carry out an attack RIGHT inside our military base in states, our outgoing sec of states chief of staff is muslim & her mother was member of terrorist org

              • 1 vote
              Reply#16 - Sun Feb 3, 2013 10:55 PM EST

              I'm happy to hear that she is doing better. I've kept her in my thoughts and prayers since she was shot. I didn't know anything about her until that day, but it still bothered me when I first read about her. I hope she fully recovers and is able to live the life she wants to live.

              I just wish the media would STOP telling everyone where she's at. She needs to be protected. It's fine that you all tell us HOW she's doing, but NOT WHERE SHE'S AT!

              God be with you and protect you, Malala. You are so courageous. I wish I were HALF as courageous as you are and I have ultimate respect for you, even though I doubt you'll ever read this.

              • 3 votes
              Reply#17 - Sun Feb 3, 2013 10:56 PM EST
              Comment author avatarDEbchbumExpand Comment Comment collapsed by the community

              I'd give the news media her phone number and street address -- so the muzzies could take care of her and end this tiring, boring diatribe about a nonperson.

                #17.1 - Mon Feb 4, 2013 12:19 AM EST

                Yeah, right, God with her so she can pop out those terrorist babies in a couple of more years. My gawd, the ignorance on this board is unbelievable. Worshipping this stupid Muslim girl like she was Joan of Arc - she didn't do anything for the world, it was just for herself.

                  #17.2 - Mon Feb 4, 2013 9:51 AM EST
                  Reply

                  I wonder what happened to the other girls harmed in the bus that day/ she was the worse one but others were shot as well. It is increadible how in muslim countries child abuse and female abuse and murder is not even punished. I can't believe how a bunch of human beings can have a religion that make them believe murder and abuse and violence is moral and acceptable. They are from acontinent around africa and we all know all those people are a step away from humping their own dogs.

                  • 1 vote
                  Reply#18 - Sun Feb 3, 2013 11:30 PM EST
                  Comment author avatarDEbchbumExpand Comment Comment collapsed by the community

                  Guaranteed that bltch doesn't look like that now. Why is that effing muzzie STILL in the news? I was hoping she'd just died, or at the very least crawled back to Pakistan.

                    Reply#19 - Mon Feb 4, 2013 12:18 AM EST

                    And the rest of the world is hoping that you and your kind will die a cruel and unusual death soon

                      #19.1 - Mon Feb 4, 2013 1:57 AM EST
                      Reply

                      Oh, my! Hillery Clinton up-staged by a little girl! The terrorist's are contained, and we all can breathe a sigh of relief! Our boarder's are secure, and we all can sleep safely tonight! Our government will protect us from any harm - if you can wait for them to respond! I'd feel better if I had an KK-47, with a night scope, and 1,000 rounds of ammunition, with 100 round capacity clips, to protect myself, and my family! Oh, yeah, call 911 - WAIT, WAIT, and you'll be DEAD!!

                      • 1 vote
                      Reply#20 - Mon Feb 4, 2013 1:43 AM EST

                      @Gary - you need some mental health services and also remedial English language skills. "Hillary, not "hillery," borders not "boarder's," terrorists not "terrorist's," and AK-47 not "KK-47."

                        #20.1 - Mon Feb 4, 2013 9:55 AM EST
                        Reply

                        England was the correct place to take her as our healthcare system has been thrown under the Bus and is on a long downhill slide

                        • 1 vote
                        Reply#21 - Mon Feb 4, 2013 1:54 AM EST

                        You got that right. Our health care system is only for the people who can afford it, where in the UK it is for everyone.

                        • 1 vote
                        #21.1 - Mon Feb 4, 2013 8:45 AM EST
                        Reply

                        I do hope she wins the prize. I do hope her and her family just stay put in the UK. Returning to Pakistan would be suicide.

                          Reply#23 - Mon Feb 4, 2013 8:43 AM EST

                          In America we call the 'taliban' Republicans. Scary people.

                            Reply#24 - Mon Feb 4, 2013 8:46 AM EST

                            She certainly deserves the prize more than Obama did.

                            • 1 vote
                            Reply#25 - Mon Feb 4, 2013 9:53 AM EST

                            Christ is ok by me. Its his followers(sheep in his own words) that scare the crap out of me.

                            Best wishes for Malala and her family.

                            Oh I almost forgot.DEbchbum, your an idiot

                            • 1 vote
                            Reply#26 - Mon Feb 4, 2013 10:12 AM EST
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