Soeharto still in critical state<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Doctors looking after former president Soeharto conceded on
\nTuesday that despite showing signs of stabilizing, the 80-year-
\nold remained in critical condition, and that they feared a
\npotential multiorgan dysfunction.<\/p>\n
Speaking to journalists, doctors treating Soeharto sounded
\nextremely cautious in their prognosis, noting that due to his age
\nhis condition could quickly worsen, possibly leading to a
\ndeterioration of brain, heart and kidney functions.<\/p>\n
They were apprehensive that the medication being administered
\nto treat the pneumonia with which he was initially diagnosed
\nmight cause unwanted side effects, aggravating the condition of
\nthese crucial organs.<\/p>\n
But doctors also noted that, compared with Monday evening when
\nhe was rushed to Pertamina hospital in South Jakarta after
\nsuffering breathing problems, Soeharto showed signs of
\nimprovement, with his body temperature and breathing returning to
\nnormal.<\/p>\n
It may have been a coincidence, but Soeharto's medical check,
\nwhich showed clear signs of improvement, was carried out after a
\nvisit by his son Hutomo \"Tommy\" Mandala Putra.<\/p>\n
It was the first time the two were known to have seen each
\nother since Tommy went into hiding over a year ago.<\/p>\n
Handcuffed and under heavy police escort, Tommy was given
\npermission to leave detention at Jakarta Police Headquarters to
\nmeet his ailing father for about an hour.<\/p>\n
The medical team treating Soeharto comprised his own 23
\nprivate physicians, Pertamina hospital doctors and a team of
\npresidential doctors who were assisting under instructions from
\nPresident Megawati Soekarnoputri.<\/p>\n
Soeharto's health has slowly deteriorated, including suffering
\nseveral strokes during the last three years, and culminating in a
\ncourt decision to halt his trial for alleged graft due to his
\npoor state of health.<\/p>\n
The head of Soeharto's private medical team neurologist Teguh
\nA.S. Ranakusuma said on Tuesday that \"although Bapak has passed
\nthe toughest critical stage\", he still faces multiple problems.<\/p>\n
\"Bapak is still in a critical condition -- we're now focusing
\non his lung problems,\" he remarked, while adding that Soeharto
\nhad been in good health during the month of Ramadhan and had also
\nfasted.<\/p>\n
Specialist Hoediarto Mangkunegoro said doctors had succeeded
\nin decreasing the liquid content in Soeharto's lungs by using
\nantibiotics.<\/p>\n
\"But the problem is that the medication may affect other
\norgans. We have to control his blood sugar level, which has
\nincreased as a result of the antipneumonia prescription, and must
\nmonitor his kidneys further,\" Mangkunegoro said.<\/p>\n
Doctors are continuing to monitor developments closely, with
\ncomplete examinations every six hours.<\/p>\n
Head of the presidential medical team radiologist Koenindro
\nDadi said Soeharto's emotional state seemed considerably better
\nafter meeting Tommy.<\/p>\n
Close friends of the family said Tommy's plight had been
\ncarefully concealed from his father.<\/p>\n
Tommy arrived at the hospital at around 10:15 a.m. with his
\nleft hand cuffed to police detective Adj. Comr. Joko Purwadi.<\/p>\n
Currently being investigated for murder, bombings and illegal
\narms possession, Tommy was given a brief respite by the police,
\nwho allowed him to meet his father without having to don a
\ndetention uniform.<\/p>\n
Despite police sources claiming otherwise, Tommy's lawyer Elza
\nSyarief insisted that Tommy was still cuffed when seeing Soeharto
\nin the VVIP room on the sixth floor of the hospital.<\/p>\n
Elza could not elaborate how Tommy concealed the handcuffs
\nfrom his father, who, she said, only stared and smiled while
\nasking merely how his son was.<\/p>\n
She added that Tommy spent most of the one-hour visit playing
\nwith his second two-year-old son, Dharma.<\/p>\n
Apart from his wife, Regita Indah Cahyani, Tommy's three
\nsisters and eldest brother were also present.<\/p>\n
His second brother, Bambang Trihatmodjo, was not allowed to
\nsee Soeharto because he was suffering from influenza.<\/p>\n
Many prominent figures from Soeharto's inner circle were seen
\nvisiting the patient, including former vice president Soedharmono
\nand former state secretaries Saadilah Mursyid and Moerdiono.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/soeharto-still-in-critical-state-1447893297",
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