 |
Nelson Mandela
|
JOHANNESBURG: Anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela
remains "quite ill" and is using facial gestures to communicate with
his family and doctors, the former South African President's ex-wife has said.
Winnie Madikizela-Mandela said the 95-year-old
leader was, however, not on life support but he was no longer talking
"because of all the tubes that are in his mouth to clear (fluid from) the
lungs".
"I have heard all this nonsense that he is
on life support. He is not. He remains quite ill. But thank God, the doctors
were able to pull him through from that infection that landed him in hospital
for more than two months earlier this year," 77-year-old Winnie was quoted
by The Sunday Independent newspaper as saying.
Mandela is under the care of 22 doctors, and
while his pneumonia has cleared, his lungs remain sensitive, she said.
"It is difficult for him," said Winnie.
"He remains very sensitive to any germs, so he has to be kept literally
sterile. The bedroom there (in Houghton) is like an ICU ward."
"He is 95 years old and it is difficult for
him, because of all the tubes that are in his mouth to clear (fluid off the)
lungs and prevent an infection recurring. Though the pneumonia has cleared, his
lungs remains sensitive, hence the tubes," Winnie said.
Mandela, who spent 27 years in apartheid jail
before becoming South Africa's first black leader, has faced several health
scares. His most recent hospital stay spanning over three months was his
longest since he walked free in 1990.
Mandela was in "an atmosphere he
recognises", Winnie said. "When he is very relaxed, he is fine and it
has given us a lot of hope."
Winnie's comments are the first detailed reports
on Mandela's health, as the Presidency only issues periodic updates which
mainly indicate that he is recovering well.
Click for more update about Mandela health
No comments:
Post a Comment