Former President Pranab Mukherjee's Health Worsens, Continues To Be On Ventilator Support

Mukherjee underwent an emergency surgery for brain clot on August 10 and has not shown any signs of improvement since then.

Former President of India Pranab Mukherjee. (File Photo/ AFP)

New Delhi: Former President Pranab Mukherjee's health has worsened and he continues to be on ventilator support at the Army Research and Referral (R&R) Hospital in New Delhi, the hospital said in its official statement on Tuesday evening. Mukherjee underwent an emergency surgery for brain clot on August 10 and has not shown any signs of improvement since then. The 84-year-old politician was admitted to hospital on Monday in a critical condition and underwent a "live-saving brain surgery". As per reports, Pranab Mukherjee also tested positive for the novel Coronavirus.

Former President Pranab Mukherjee (file pic) who underwent emergency surgery for brain clot on 10th August, has not shown any improvement & his health status has worsened. He remains on ventilatory support. His health continues to remain critical: Army Hospital (R&R) Delhi Cantt pic.twitter.com/Bdse10bZs9

— ANI (@ANI) August 11, 2020

He was admitted to the hospital at 12.07 p.m. on August 10 in a critical condition. "Workup at the hospital revealed a large brain clot for which he underwent emergency life saving surgery. Post surgery he continues to remain critical on ventilatory support," the hospital said in a statement. It is being said that the former President of India slipped in his bathroom which resulted in blood clotting in his brain. On August 10, Mukherjee had stated that he has tested positive for Covid-19. "On a visit to the hospital for a separate procedure, I have tested positive for COVID19 today. I request the people who came in contact with me in the last week, to please self-isolate and get tested for Covid-19," he tweeted. Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh visited the Army's R&R Hospital on Monday and enquired about Pranab Mukherjee's health. Soon after the new of Pranab Mukherjee's brain surgery, wishes for his speedy recovery started pouring in, including from Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Union Minister and Lok Janshakti Party leader Ram Vilas Paswan. West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee said, "Concerned to hear about Former President Pranab Mukherjee Da testing positive for Covid-19. My prayers are with him and his family during this time and I wish him a speedy recovery." Meanwhile, villagers from West Bengal's Birbhum district are performing a three-day religious ritual in the ancestral village of former President for his speedy recovery. The villagers of Kirnahar on Tuesday started the Maha Mrityunjay Yajna at the Japeshwar Shiva temple located in Mukherjee's native place Mirati, about 180-km north of Kolkata. Every year the former President, popular as 'Poltu-da' among the locals, visits his ancestral home during the Durga Puja. A veteran statesman and leader, Mukherjee was the president between 2012 and 2017.