NEW DELHI: Doctors have been left wondering at the tenacity of Anna Hazare to endure long periods of fast despite failing health. Although his vital parameters continue to be a cause for concern, the 74-year-old Gandhian's condition actually improved slightly over the previous day, doctors said.
According to the latest medical reports, his blood pressure was 160/90 and heart rate 82, nearly 10 beats above normal. The ketone levels continued to be high, as was the toxicity in his blood. Dr Naresh Trehan, who is heading the team monitoring Anna's condition, said, "He is holding on".
"Anna's internal adaptation to fasting and stress is high, which is why he is still able to sustain this. That's a miracle in itself because other patients with similar condition are normally brought on a stretcher and are not in control of their senses," said a doctor from G B Pant hospital, who did not want to be quoted.
However, the doctor said Anna's blood pressure level was fluctuating and he could collapse any moment. "He may gradually lose consciousness due to high blood toxicity and lack of sugar in the body and even go into coma if he is not put on a drip soon," he said.
At the time of printing, doctors in the team were discussing whether Anna should be force-fed and shifted to the hospital - which could be either Medanta Medicity in Gurgaon or the GB Pant hospital, across the road from Ramlila Ground. Police presence had also increased at the protest venue in view of the continued stalemate.
The doctors tried to put the septuagenarian on a drip on Tuesday night but sources said that he threw them away. Anna even addressed the gathering thrice on Wednesday, saying, "Nothing will happen to me. I am fine, doctors have said."
Due to dehydration, Anna's eyes have also dried up and doctors said they are putting eye drops continuously. "He is taking 3.4 to 4 litres of water in a day but due to the continued fast, there's less water in his body."
Anna aide Arvind Kejriwal said if anything happens to Anna, the Prime Minister will be held responsible. "We have asked the government if there is going to be any police action tonight but they didn't say anything. We will not allow them to take Anna forcefully to any hospital. The doctors should decide on this, not the police or the government," said Kejriwal.
In Gurgaon, where Medanta Medicity is situated, cops said they had rehearsed how Anna would be taken to hospital in the event he is shifted there. At G B Pant too ICU facilities had been readied.
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