Jyoti Basu at terminal stage of ‘multi-organ infection

Jyoti Basu’s condition was extremely critical on Thursday and worsening. Doctors had to put the CPI(M) patriarch on haemodialysis (a method of removing waste) after his kidney weakened and urine output declined substantially.

DN Agarwal, director of the hospital where Basu is being treated, said complications began in the morning and worsened by evening.

Agarwal said Basu’s cardiac condition also deteriorated. “The requirement of external oxygen intake has substantially increased. He continues to be on ventilation. Medicines are being administered to keep his blood pressure steady,” he said.

Haemodialysis was started at 6.30pm and was expected to continue for four hours. Sources said the decision to begin the process was taken by doctors as a last resort to improve kidney functioning.  They said Basu was at the terminal stage of “multi-organ infection”.

A doctor said Basu was a step away from the third and most critical stage of “multi-organ failure”, after which he many go into “coma”.