Yerbayan Mukhtar Feeling Better

National Guard conscript Yerbayan Mukhtar fell into a coma in late 2023 after suffering a traumatic brain injury. 

It was initially claimed that he fell in a bathroom and hit his head. Following extensive treatment in Türkiye, Yerbayan Mukhtar's condition has improved, Orda reports.

On January 18, lawyer and human rights advocate Inga Imanbay, who represents Yerbayan's family, reported significant improvements in the young man's health.

In Istanbul, Yerbayan underwent successful head surgery, recovered from an infection, and had catheter and nasal probes removed.

He has begun gaining weight and moving with robotic assistance. He's started eating small amounts on his own. Doctors are optimistic about his prognosis, though full recovery will take time, Inga Imanbay wrote.

Yerbayan Mukhtar was previously receiving care at Almaty's Central Clinical Hospital.

After regaining consciousness, Yerbayan used gestures to indicate to his family that he had been physically assaulted. 

He was later transferred to a military hospital, where surgeons removed a portion of his brain. 

The soldier lapsed back into a coma and was moved first to Almaty's Central Clinical Hospital, then to the National Neurosurgical Center in Astana. Following treatment, Yerbayan was discharged home, and his family began fundraising for treatment abroad.

The public donated over 220 million tenge for the young man's rehabilitation. These funds enabled his transfer to Türkiye for medical care in September 2023.

Authorities launched a criminal investigation into the incident. A separate investigation was later initiated regarding the conduct of the medical staff who treated Yerbayan Mukhtar.

Original Author: Oksana Matvienko