Anna vitals near-normal after 12-day 'miracle' fast
Anna Hazare's 12-day fast has been termed as a "miracle" by doctors treating him at Medanta Medicity in Gurgaon. He was shifted to the hospital after he broke his fast at the Ramlila Maidan. Doctors say his condition is stable, but he will be under observation for three to four days. And when Anna was being taken inside the hospital, thousands of supporters gathered outside, almost choking the entrance.
Anna supporters - women, children and the old - were shouting slogans and trying to get a glimpse of the man who had won the war for the common man. As his convoy followed by an ambulance and a Delhi Police Gypsy reached the entrance, Tricolour-waving supporters mobbed the car. Despite several appeals from the Gurgaon police, the crowd refused to budge forcing Arvind Kejriwal to climb atop a vehicle with folded hands and plead with the crowd to relent. About 250 policemen were deployed in and around the hospital and yet they struggled to manage the crowd.
Parking lots in the vicinity were packed with vehicles as a large number of supporters began thronging the area, hours before Anna came. A large number of people trying to get a glimpse of Anna at the crossings along the expressway.
Cardiac surgeon and chairman of Medanta, Dr Naresh Trehan, who has been monitoring Anna's health, lauded his spirit. "To go on for so long without food and still not have any serious medical complication is nothing short of miracle. His ascetic lifestyle and the massive support from people during the movement has helped him to continue for so long,'' said Dr Trehan.
He was admitted at Medanta Medicity around 12.15 pm. At the time of admission Anna's blood pressure was 120/70 and his heart beat was 94. The septuagenarian is suffering from acute dehydration, though his vitals are near-normal. "He is dehydrated and exhausted. We are giving him oral fluids like coconut water with honey and fruit juices. Slowly his food intake will be increased,'' he said. Anna is admitted in a special ward on the fourth floor.
Doctors have conducted a battery of tests on his liver, blood and kidney to ensure that his vital organs are functioning properly. Doctors are keeping a close watch on his fluctuating electrolyte balance and weight. "He has lost more than 7 kg in last 12 days. We are giving him fluids at regular intervals to improve the electrolyte imbalance. Ketone levels have begun to fall,'' said Dr Balram Gupta, who is part of the core team of doctors looking after Anna.
By evening, the vitals parameters had stabilized with blood pressure at 120/ 80 and pulse at 88. He is also been given multi-vitamins along with fluids. Doctors say solid food will be given to him only after 48 hours.