Veteran CPI-M leader Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee remains 'critical'

Kolkata: Former West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee is responding to treatment but his condition remains critical, sources say.

A press release by the Communist Party of India-Marxist state headquarters said: "He is still on ventilator, and the process of weaning has started. Sedation has been stopped. He is conscious and alert,"

Bhattacharjee's blood pressure, pulse and oxygen saturation level is currently stable and the urine output is also satisfactory, reports say.

"He is presently on IV fluids, IV antibiotics, IV steroids and other supportive medications. He is on Ryles tube feeding, and he is tolerating feeds," it said.

The septuagenarian was admitted to the Critical Care Department of Kolkata's Woodlands Hospital on December 9.

He is now under the supervision of Koushik Chakraborty, Consultant Pulmonologist and Soutik Panda, Consultant Critical Care.

"He had an uneventful night in the hospital and his prognosis is still guarded and he still remains critical. Treating doctors are keeping constant vigil on his health situation and taking appropriate measures from time to time," the press statement said.

IANS report with edits