Basu’s condition marginally better

Former West Bengal Chief Minister Jyoti Basu. File Photo: AP

There was marginal improvement in the condition of veteran Marxist leader Jyoti Basu on Sunday, though he remained critical for the fifth successive day.

The medical board that is monitoring his condition described his state as “marginally better” and “still critical.” Mr. Basu continues to be on partial ventilation support in the Intensive Coronary Care Unit of a city hospital where he was admitted with pneumonia on January 1.

A bulletin issued by the hospital said his lungs were showing some signs of improvement with the infection being “adequately treated.”

On Saturday, the medical board found his condition to be deteriorating.

Mr. Basu’s cardiovascular system was more or less stable and his blood pressure was being maintained with a minimum dose of ionotropes (blood pressure stabilising drugs). The drowsiness Mr. Basu was suffering from on Saturday had lessened and “he moved his hands,” Dr. Sushrut Banerjee, one of the physicians attending on him, told journalist.

‘Basu moved his hands’

Hospital authorities monitoring veteran Marxist leader Jyoti Basu’s condition told journalists on Sunday that all bacteria culture reports were being assessed and there was no need for a change in the treatment as of now.

“His urine output has improved and the board of doctors monitoring him found no necessity for dialysis at the moment,” a medical bulletin issued by the hospital said.

Mr. Basu’s cardiovascular system was more or less stable and his blood pressure was being maintained with a minimum dose of ionotropes (blood pressure stabilising drugs).

The drowsiness Mr. Basu was suffering from on Saturday had lessened and “he moved his hands,” Dr. Sushrut Banerjee, one of the physicians attending on him, told journalists.

The doctors were in touch with a panel of specialists of AIIMS, New Delhi.

Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav was among those who visited him at the hospital during the day. The Dalai Lama, at a nearby event, also prayed for a speedy recovery of Mr. Basu.

Biman Bose, Secretary of the West Bengal State Committee of the CPI(M), Nirupam Sen, State Industries Minister, and other senior leaders of the party also visited Mr. Basu.