| |
| |
![]() |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
JAKARTA: Indonesia's former president Suharto languished in a hospital bed on Sunday as doctors sought to reduce his dependence on a ventilator two days after he suffered multiple organ failure.
Suharto, 86, was admitted to hospital on January 4 with heart, kidney and lung problems and his health fluctuated daily before dramatically worsening on Friday, when he was hooked to a ventilator to save his life.
On Saturday, he regained consciousness and slightly improved, while on Sunday, the chief of the team of doctors treating Suharto, Mardjo Soebiandono, told AFP by text message that his condition was stable, with little change.
Ari Haryanto Reksodiputro, another doctor on the team, told ElShinta radio that Suharto's blood pressure was stable and his haemoglobin count -- which needs to improve before doctors can operate to install a new pacemaker, seen key to a recovery -- had been rising.
"This shows that we have been able to extract quite a lot of fluid... What is certain is that (the situation) is better than previously," he said, adding however that overall, Suharto's condition was not much changed from Saturday.
"The aim is to gradually reduce the use of the breathing aid apparatus," he said, noting that it was inserted through his throat and he was being kept sedated so he was not uncomfortable.
Suharto's family, who rushed to his bedside on Friday evening fearing the worst, were "ready and would accept whatever takes place," the doctor said.
Suharto was forced to ignominiously step down a decade ago amid violent riots and an economic crisis after ruling the world's fourth most populous nation for 32 years.
Suharto has never been brought to justice over human rights abuses he is alleged to have overseen during his rule -- particularly in East Timor, Aceh and Papua -- nor faced criminal trial over billions of dollars he is alleged to have siphoned to family and friends.
Yet many Indonesians remain divided over his legacy, with some looking back to his era as a time when everyday life was easier thanks to subsidised goods. - AFP/ir
|
