The Hindu : Front Page : Second such surgery in 18 years for Manmohan

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Second such surgery in 18 years for Manmohan

Aarti Dhar

NEW DELHI: The “coronary artery bypass graft” that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will undergo on Saturday at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences will be the second such surgery on him. He underwent the first surgery in the U.K. in 1990 and angioplasty a few years ago.

The surgery would be performed by a team of doctors from the Asian Heart Institute, Mumbai, and AIIMS.

The team from the Asian Heart Institute will include Rama Kant Panda, cardiac surgeon and expert in re-bypass surgery; Vijay Desilva, ICU specialist; and Narendra Garach, anaesthetist.

The AIIMS team will be headed by Sampath Kumar and the entire operation will be managed by K.S. Reddy, the Prime Minister’s personal physician.

Authoritative sources said Dr. Singh’s arterial vessels had narrowed down “considerably” at four places, which was a cause for concern. Angioplasty was an option discussed by the specialists but it was realised that it would not serve the purpose.

Dr. Singh had complained of chest pain after which he was admitted to the AIIMS on Wednesday. A CT-scan and other tests were done and a subsequent angiography confirmed the blockages. He was discharged on Thursday morning and his family was informed of his cardiac condition with the advice that delays would only worsen his problem.

Since it was not only a personal or family decision, Dr. Singh took 24 hours to seek “political clearance” before he came back to the AIIMS on Friday afternoon to undergo the surgery.

Goodwill messages

Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee wished Dr. Singh a speedy and complete recovery.

In a letter to the Prime Minister, the Speaker wrote: “May I convey my very best wishes for your speedy and complete recovery. My wife also joins me in sending her sincere good wishes. I am sure you will soon be able to resume your normal activities and continue to lead the nation to its fuller glory.”

Earlier, Leader of the Opposition L.K. Advani told reporters: “We have been worried about his health ever since we heard the news. I am sure he will be alright soon. I wish him speedy recovery.”

Chief Justice of India K.G. Balakrishnan said: “I wish him all the success and speedy recovery.”

“No cause for worry”

Meanwhile cardiologist Upendra Kaul said there was nothing to worry. “I don’t think there is room for any concern or problem,” Dr. Kaul, executive director of cardiology at Fortis and Escorts hospitals, said.

Dr. Singh may require three or four grafts “which should not be a problem,” he said.

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