Jyoti Basu's condition stable, say doctors

The condition of Marxist patriarch Jyoti Basu was stable, and he was responding positively to treatment for pneumonia, doctors attending on him said today.

However, the 95-year-old leader would continue to be under observation for a few more days in ICU, the doctors of the AMRI Hospital here said.

"His condition is so far stable, and he is positively responding to treatment at the ICU where he might have to stay for two to three days more for better management of his moderate pneumonia infection," a five-member medical board formed to monitor his health condition said.

Basu's personal physician AK Maity said, "Basu's condition is more-or-less stable, and doctors are trying to check his pneumonic infection. Since Basu is quite old, it will take some more time to control the infection."

Doctors said Basu's chest infection had "slightly reduced" due to administration of anti-biotics, and he was being given a liquid diet.

Renowned physician Moni Chhetri was today included in the medical board, a hospital bulletin said.

The veteran Marxist leader was admitted to the AMRI Hospital with chest infection yesterday and he was found suffering from pneumonia following tests, CT-scan and X-ray.