Basu on partial ventilation, but still critical (Second Lead)

KOLKATA - Marxist patriarch Jyoti Basu’s heartbeat is almost stable but he is still critical, a doctor examining the leader at a local hospital said here Sunday. He said Basu was kept on almost 40 percent ventilation.

“He also moved his hands though could not open his eyes. It seems the drowsiness has slightly reduced. We won’t say that he does not have any infection,” the doctor said.

“There are infections in his body, but yes, it has reduced. The condition has slightly improved but still it is critical,” the doctor said.

Meanwhile, exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama - who was in town Sunday to attend a function - also prayed for Basu’s fast recovery.

“I saw a report in a newspaper that he (Basu) is in hospital. I saw his photo. He looks so fragile,” the Dalai Lama said.

“I remember I met Basu when he was the chief minister. He is a communist. We all must pray for him,” the Dalai Lama said.

On Saturday, the doctors said the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) veteran’s health was deteriorating and he had slipped into a state of drowsiness with the infection affecting his internal organs. He was admitted Jan 1 to the AMRI Hospital for pneumonia and shifted to the Intensive Cardiac Care Unit (ICCU) the following day.