Nelson Mandela’s condition now critical: world holds its breath
Former South African President Nelson Mandela’s condition has deteriorated, with the Presidency saying he is now in a critical condition in hospital.
“The condition of former President Nelson Mandela, who is still in hospital in Pretoria, has become critical,” said the Presidency in a statement on Sunday night.
It said President Jacob Zuma, accompanied by ANC Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, had visited Nelson Mandela in hospital earlier on the evening where they were briefed by the medical team, who informed them that the former President’s condition had become critical over the past 24 hours. Previous statements indicated that Mandela was in a serious but stable condition after being hospitalised for a lung infection.
The President and Ramaphosa also met with Mandela’s wife Graca Machel at the hospital to discuss Madiba’s condition. Zuma said, “The doctors are doing everything possible to get his condition to improve and are ensuring that Madiba is well-looked after and is comfortable. He is in good hands.”
The former president has been in hospital for more than two weeks now.
The President denied that Mandela’s health was compromised when the ambulance transporting him to hospital on 8 June developed engine problems. “There were seven doctors in the convoy who were in full control of the situation throughout the period. He had expert medical care. The fully equipped military ICU ambulance had a full complement of specialist medical staff including intensive care specialists and ICU nurses,” said Zuma.
On Saturday, United States TV channel CBS reported that the 94-year-old was unresponsive and hadn’t opened his eyes in days. The broadcaster claimed Mandela’s liver and kidneys are functioning at 50 percent and had undergone two surgical procedures. It further claims Mandela went into cardiac arrest and had to be resuscitated the night he was taken to hospital.
Zuma said the doctors also dismissed the media reports that Madiba suffered cardiac arrest. “There is no truth at all in that report,” he said.
Zuma appealed to South Africa and the world to pray for Madiba, the family and the medical team attending to him during this difficult time.
