E-Kantipur

KATHMANDU, MAR 19 -

Nepali Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala's health condition has deteriorated after he suffered from a bout of diarrhoea on Thursday night. He has difficulties in breathing, and doctors have made necessary arrangements to give him artificial respiration if needed.

Doctors involved in his treatment said that though diarrhoea has been controlled after antibiotic treatment his condition is critical due to respiratory problems and his old age. According to doctors, the level of oxygen given to him has been gradually increased upto 4 litre/minute  from 2.5 litre/minute this evening.

Koirala, 86, and is a chronic patient of respiratory diseases.

A team of doctors comprising of Prof. Dr. Jagdish Agrawal, Dr, Man Bahadur K.C. and Dr. Arjun Karki is standby at his daughter Sujata’s residence in Mandikhatar in the capital, where he is living.

All necessary equipment have been set up there for his treatment in case of emergency.

"Slightly improved"

According to Dr. Agrawal, Koirala's condition has slightly improved this evening. However, he is still not out of danger.

Doctors administered antibiotics via the intravenous route to treat diarrhoea.  As he suffered from dehydration, he was given intravenous fluids also.

Blood tests carried out today showed satisfactory level of haemoglobin.

A patient of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Koirala was rushed to Sahid Gangalal Heart Centre in Bansbari on March 14 after he suffered from hypoxia and urinary tract infection. He was discharged from the hospital on March 17 as the blood oxygen level increased to a satisfactory level after blood transfusion.

Earlier today, Koirala's family members and doctors discussed whether to carry out special medical treatment at the residence or take him to hospital, according to his aide Gokarna Poudel.

However, he was reluctant to go to the hospital, and doctors started his treatment there.

Ministers, leaders visit Koirala

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal, senior ministers, leaders of various political parties, and Koirala's well-wishers and supporters went to his abode to see him after the news of his ill health.

Only Prime Minister Nepal and some ministers were allowed to meet Koirala for a couple of minutes in the evening. Koirala reportedly showed concern about the current political development during the brief meeting though he could not speak much.

Also, national and internationl media personnel gathered outside his residence this evening to cover the news of the ailing leader's health condition.

Koirala was the prime minister of the country three times, and has been a key player in the contemporary politics to-date.

(Writer can be reached at keshuvko at gmail.com)

 

Posted on: 2010-03-19 12:00

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