Atal Bihari Vajpayee critical, is on life support system
What's the story
Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who had been admitted at AIIMS for the last nine weeks is critical, the premium medical institute said in a statement on Wednesday.
The BJP stalwart was admitted in June, and his health deteriorated in the last 24 hours. He has been put on life support system.
Many leaders have visited AIIMS since last night.
Health
Vajpayee suffered a stroke in 2009, is diabetic
Vajpayee's health declined after he suffered a stroke in 2009. His cognitive abilities were hit by this incident.
He is also diabetic, has only one functional kidney and subsequently developed dementia.
Currently, AIIMS director and pulmonologist Dr Randeep Guleria is closely monitoring Vajpayee's health. Doctors from nephrology, gastroenterology, pulmonology and cardiology departments are also looking after him.
Twitter Post
AIIMS reveals Vajpayee's health has declined
Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee has been admitted for the last
— ANI (@ANI) August 15, 2018
9 weeks at AIIMS. Unfortunately his condition has worsened over the last 24
hours. His condition is critical and he is on life support system: AIIMS pic.twitter.com/5tIkdEeddH
Visits
PM Modi, other leaders, visit AIIMS to check on Vajpayee
Since last night many high profile leaders visited AIIMS to check on Vajpayee. PM Modi came at around 7:24 PM and spent half an hour with doctors.
Among the ones who visited him last night were Union Ministers Piyush Goyal, Suresh Prabhu, Harsh Vardhan and Jitendra Singh.
Vice President Venkaiah Naidu visited this morning and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal has announced his visit.
Twitter Post
Amit Shah arrives at AIIMS
BJP President Amit Shah arrives at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) where former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee is admitted. Vajpayee’s condition is critical he is on life support system. #Delhi pic.twitter.com/CbjIqyHruD
— ANI (@ANI) August 16, 2018
Career
The leader, the orator: Vajpayee redefined Indian politics
Vajpayee was the only non-Congress PM to serve the full term in office, from 1999 to 2004. He was a remarkable orator and his speeches are still popular among the masses.
Under Vajpayee's leadership, the nuclear tests at Pokhran were conducted (despite warning from the US) and India won the 1999 Kargil war.
He stayed away from politics after his health worsened.