COVID +ve Pranab Mukherjee's health has worsened: Army Hospital

Former President Pranab Mukherjee, who has tested positive for COVID-19, continues to remain critical and his health status has worsened, said a hospital bulletin on Tuesday (August 11).

He was put on ventilator support after he underwent a brain surgery on Monday.

“Former President Pranab Mukherjee, who underwent emergency surgery for brain clot on August 10, has not shown any improvement and his health status has worsened. He remains on ventilatory support. His health continues to remain critical,” the Army Hospital (Research and Referral), Delhi Cantonment said in a statement.

The 84-year-old was admitted to the Army’s Research and Referral (R&R) hospital in New Delhi around noon on Monday. A surgery was conducted the same day for the removal of a clot in his brain. A multidisciplinary team of doctors is constantly monitoring his health.

“Former President of India Shri Pranab Mukherjee was admitted to Army Hospital (R&R) in Delhi Cantonment at 1207 hours on August 10, 2020 in a critical condition. Workup at the hospital revealed a large brain clot for which he underwent emergency life saving surgery. Post surgery he continues to remain critical on ventilatory support,” said a hospital bulletin.

Prior to the surgery, Mukherjee had tweeted that he tested positive for COVID-19. “On a visit to the hospital for a separate procedure, I have tested positive for COVID19 today. I request the people who came in contact with me in the last week, to please self isolate and get tested for COVID-19,” said the former president in his tweet on Monday afternoon.

On a visit to the hospital for a separate procedure, I have tested positive for COVID19 today.
I request the people who came in contact with me in the last week, to please self isolate and get tested for COVID-19. #CitizenMukherjee

— Pranab Mukherjee (@CitiznMukherjee) August 10, 2020

Following his tweet, wishes for an early recovery poured in on Twitter from a large number of people, including leaders from across the political spectrum. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh visited the R&R Hospital and enquired about the former president’s health. Singh was at the hospital for around 20 minutes.

Related news: Former President Pranab Mukherjee tests positive for COVID-19

Local reports suggest Mukherjee had a fall in the bathroom late Sunday night and suffered injuries on his forehead and temple. He was taken to the military hospital next morning. He didn’t suffer any skull fracture, but a CT scan suggested a big clot. The same day, surgery was performed and he was put on ventilator.

A veteran Congress leader and a former Union minister, Mukherjee served as India’s 13th President between 2012 and 2017. He was conferred India’s highest civilian honour Bharat Ratna in 2019 by President Ram Nath Kovind.

(With inputs from agencies)