Brain Clot Surgery: Condition of Pranab remains critical

The condition of India's former president Pranab Mukherjee, who tested positive for coronavirus and underwent a surgery on Monday night to remove a clot in his brain, remains critical, the hospital where he is being treated said yesterday.

"Post-surgery, Pranab Mukherjee continues to remain critical. He is on ventilator support," the Army Research and Referral Hospital in New Delhi said in a statement.

It said the medical examination of Pranab "revealed large brain clot for which he underwent emergency life-saving surgery."

Pranab, 84, was admitted to Army Hospital (R&R) in Delhi Cantonment on Monday in a critical condition, according to the statement.

It was Pranab who had disclosed on Monday that he tested positive for coronavirus while on a visit to hospital for a separate procedure. He was India's president between 2012 and 2017.

Soon after the news of his hospitalisation, wishes poured in from various quarters for his early recovery and a number of leaders sent their wishes on Twitter.

India's President Ram Nath Kovind spoke to Pranab's daughter Sharmistha Mukherjee and enquired about his health on Monday evening.

Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu also spoke to Sharmistha Mukherjee to enquire about his well-being. Naidu wished for his speedy recovery and good health.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh visited the R&R Hospital on Monday and enquired about the former president's health. Singh was at the hospital for around 20 minutes.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also sent his best wishes to the former president and wished him early recovery.