Hospital officials refuse to elaborate on the condition of the Union Science and Technology Minister; maintain he is critical
The condition of Union Science and Technology Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, admitted to the Global Hospital here, continues to be critical, a hospital official said, adding his family members have declined permission to issue a medical bulletin about his status.
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“Deshmukh’s condition continues to be critical. However, we are not in a position to issue a medical bulletin as the minister’s family refused permission for that,” the official said on condition of anonymity.u00a0When reminded that Deshmukh is not any individual, but a union minister, the official said the hospital is helpless as the family has not given the nod.
‘Stop speculating’
Earlier a senior hospital official had said that a statement about the health condition of Deshmukh would be issued in the afternoon. With no such official communication forthcoming from the hospital and the family, speculation was rife about Deshmukh’s condition.
“He is alive. Many of the media reports are speculative in nature,” the official said. Hospital representatives, however, refused to confirm or deny the reports that Deshmukh is on life support system. Officials at Global Hospital said that Deshmukh is in the ICU for a serious liver ailment.
“The ward is out of bounds except for doctors and paramedical staff,” he said. When asked whether a liver transplant is a possibility, the official said, “As per the information available with me, the attending doctors are not planning any transplant for two days.”
He said the health parameters of Deshmukh have to be stabilised before any transplant operation is considered. Liver specialist Dr Mohammed Rela is attending to the former Maharashtra chief minister.
Rush hour
Deshmukh, 67, was rushed to the Chennai hospital on Monday evening from Mumbai’s Breach Candy hospital in an air ambulance. “From the Chennai airport he was brought to our hospital in our ambulance,” the official said. Deshmukh’s family members are with him.
Deshmukh, who had been complaining of abdominal pain for a while, had been taken to Breach Candy hospital last week for what was described as “a routine check-up”. For the last few months, Deshmukh has been taking light assignments to avoid strain on account of his health, a Congress official indicated.u00a0