Docs say PM may be discharged soon

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who has undergone a coronary bypass surgery, is recovering fast and may be discharged from hospital before the expected period of over a week.

The head of the medical team attending the prime minister and chief of the Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery Department, A Sampath Kumar, said,“He is likely to leave sooner than anticipated.” Kumar, however, refused to commit on whether it could be as early as mid-week. The prime minister underwent the surgery on January 24.

“Why are you in a hurry to send him home?” Kumar said. When asked if he anticipated any trouble, Kumar said: “I can’t say,” adding that the entire team of doctors would continue to take care of the prime minister “as long as it is required”.

When enquired if the PM was suffering from physical pain, he said: “Yes, he was. There cannot be an operation without pain. But he is very strong-willed and is bearing it well.”

Meanwhile, VIP visitors continued to make a beeline at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) to enquire about the prime minister’s health. While Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia had called on Singh’s wife yesterday, Health Minister A Ramadoss was among the visitors today.

The VIPs cannot meet the prime minister, who according to Kumar has “refused to receive visitors”. The VIPs have been enquiring about the prime minister’s health from his wife and daughters. He said it was up to the prime minister to decide when he would meet visitors. When asked if he was feeling relieved four days after the operation, Kumar said: “Do I look worried?”

“Doesn’t the prime minister of this country deserve the best treatment available in the country?” he asked.

The prime minister was admitted to the hospital on January 23 afternoon after he complained of chest pain.

A statement by the Prime Minister’s Office said Singh was being weaned off the intensive care unit and would receive routine care from tomorrow. It said Singh walked around in his room today and his diet included regular meal.