Thursday, September 6, 2007

Mahathir Cheerful
After Successful
Coronary By-Pass Surgery

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 6 (Bernama) -- Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's condition is improving after successfully undergoing a five-hour coronary by-pass operation at the National Heart Institute (IJN) on Monday.

The 81-year-old former prime minister regained consciousness yesterday but is still in the intensive care unit (ICU) for post-operative observation.

Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Abdul Aziz Shamsuddin who visited him this morning said Dr Mahathir's wife, Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Ali, told him that her husband was looking cheerful.

"I only managed to speak to Dr Siti Hasmah outside. Tun (Mahathir) was resting in the ward. She also looked very cheerful and spirited.

"We will continue to pray for Tun's speedy recovery," he said.

It was the second by-pass surgery for Dr Mahathir after the first one on Jan 24 1989.

Meanwhile, an IJN statement here says that Dr Mahathir has made significant progress and has been breathing on his own without respiratory support since 2.10pm yesterday.

"He is fully conscious, alert and able to converse with his family members. He is currently undergoing intensive physiotherapy to optimise his respiratory functions.

"In addition, Dr Mahathir is also doing light exercises of his arms and legs. His vital parameters continue to be stable," it says.

However, he will remain warded at the ICU for continuous observation.

The statement says that Dr Mahathir has been started on a liquid diet since this morning and after 48 hours of close monitoring by doctors and nurses at the ICU, the IJN is satisfied with his progress.

However, visitors are still confined to immediate family members.

-- BERNAMA

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