News / Africa
Mandela remains serious but stable
22 Jun 2013 at 08:19hrs | Views
Pretoria - Nelson Mandela remains in a serious but stable condition in hospital, the presidency said in a statement on Saturday, disputing a TV report stating that the former president was unresponsive.
The presidency did however confirm reports stating that the military ambulance transporting Mandela experienced engine problem on 8 June, the day Madiba was transported to hospital.
Doctors were satisfied that the former president suffered no harm during this period, the presidency said.
"The fully equipped military ICU ambulance had a full complement of specialist medical staff including intensive care specialists and ICU nurses. The convoy also included two quick response vehicles," the statement said.
On Friday, Mandela's grandson Ndaba Mandela was quoted in The Star as saying the ailing former statesman was expected to be discharged "soon".
Ndaba said his family was grateful for Madiba's life and they were not ready to contemplate his death.
"Only God can take him... but for us, as family, as long as he can still hear and understand what is said to him, and talk to us, we'll continue to celebrate him."
On Friday, United States-based CBS News reported that Mandela's liver and kidneys were functioning at 50%, and that the ailing former statesman had two procedures, one to repair a bleeding ulcer and another to insert a tube.
According to the report, Mandela had not opened his eyes in days and was unresponsive.
However, Maharaj said the presidency has been the "source for authoritative reporting on Mandela's health".
"Our reports are based on the reports we receive from doctors. We avoid clinical details because we want to ensure no transgression into the privacy of Mandela and his family is ensured," Maharaj said.
"The presidency needs to ensure the dignity of the former president and need to ensure the circumstances are not surrounded by undignified speculative reports."
Family members have been seen entering and leaving the Medi-Clinic Heart Hospital in Pretoria for the last two weeks.
The presidency did however confirm reports stating that the military ambulance transporting Mandela experienced engine problem on 8 June, the day Madiba was transported to hospital.
Doctors were satisfied that the former president suffered no harm during this period, the presidency said.
"The fully equipped military ICU ambulance had a full complement of specialist medical staff including intensive care specialists and ICU nurses. The convoy also included two quick response vehicles," the statement said.
On Friday, Mandela's grandson Ndaba Mandela was quoted in The Star as saying the ailing former statesman was expected to be discharged "soon".
Ndaba said his family was grateful for Madiba's life and they were not ready to contemplate his death.
"Only God can take him... but for us, as family, as long as he can still hear and understand what is said to him, and talk to us, we'll continue to celebrate him."
On Friday, United States-based CBS News reported that Mandela's liver and kidneys were functioning at 50%, and that the ailing former statesman had two procedures, one to repair a bleeding ulcer and another to insert a tube.
However, Maharaj said the presidency has been the "source for authoritative reporting on Mandela's health".
"Our reports are based on the reports we receive from doctors. We avoid clinical details because we want to ensure no transgression into the privacy of Mandela and his family is ensured," Maharaj said.
"The presidency needs to ensure the dignity of the former president and need to ensure the circumstances are not surrounded by undignified speculative reports."
Family members have been seen entering and leaving the Medi-Clinic Heart Hospital in Pretoria for the last two weeks.
Source - Sapa
