23 dec 2011
Vajpayee turns 88 amid health concerns
Former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who turns 88 on Christmas Day, remains one of India’s most popular and charismatic political leaders whose name continues to be invoked by party campaigners. But his health remains a cause of concern and those in the know say he is often confined to a wheelchair and fails to recognise people.
Dr Sanjay Kumar Cardiac Cardiothoracic Heart Surgeon India
No one, not even leaders of his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), is willing to talk publicly about Vajpayee’s health. But those who have access to him are unanimous that he is seriously unwell.
The assessments, however, vary.
Besides dementia, or gradual deterioration of memory and mental functions, the veteran leader, who was three-time prime minister, is known to be a long-term diabetic. He also has age-related illness.
When he was prime minister, Vajpayee underwent knee replacement surgery at Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai in 2001.
At one time, he used to get into aircraft and deboard with the help of a special lift.
A relative told IANS that doctors are against too many people calling on him at his 6-A, Krishna Menon Matg residence where he moved after he left 1 Race Course Road, the prime minister’s residence, following his election defeat in 2004. Informed sources said only close relatives and senior party leaders are permitted to call on him and that too only occasionally.
Dr Sanjay Kumar Cardiothoracic Cardiac Heart Surgeon India 