While legendary cartoonist R.K. Laxman continues to be in a critical condition, he has been taken off ventilator support, which brings hope of a recovery, said medical sources on Friday.
Citing a marginal improvement in his health, doctors treating the 93-year-old Mr. Laxman at the Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital in Pune said that, because of his advanced age, kidney ailments and state of unconsciousness, Mr. Laxman continues to be critical but stable.
The cartoonist was admitted to the hospital after suffering from a urinary infection that led to a multi-organ failure.
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“Mr. Laxman’s condition has been showing a minor but steady improvement over the last three days. Initially, his creatinine level returned to normal with the help of renal replacement therapy. The level of oxygen supplied to him through the ventilation came down steadily over the last two days,” said Dr. Dhananjay Kelkar, medical director of the hospital, remarking that Mr.Laxman was now breathing on his own, which in itself was a significant improvement.
The Magsaysay awardee had suffered a series of mild but debilitating strokes in 2010 that affected the right portion of his body while impairing his speech. He also suffered a stroke in 2004, which affected the left portion of his body.