Soeharto's condition unstable, say doctors<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Former president Soeharto is still confined to the intensive care
\nunit at Pertamina Hospital here, with doctors rating the
\npossibility of his recovery at fifty-fifty.<\/p>\n
The team of doctors treating Soeharto said on Monday the 83-
\nyear-old former ruler remained unstable because of continuous
\nintestinal bleeding.<\/p>\n
\"Pak Harto's hemoglobin level currently is recorded at 10.8
\ng\/dl, up from 7.8 g\/dl in the beginning after massive bleeding in
\nthe intestines. The hemoglobin count in normal people ranges from
\n12 g\/dl to 13 g\/dl,\" said Mardjo Soebiandono, head of the medical
\nteam, as quoted by Antara.<\/p>\n
He said that Soeharto also suffered from divertivulosis, or
\nprotrusions in the intestine, causing a thinning of the walls and
\nbleeding.<\/p>\n
\"This is an old disease (of Soeharto's) and it has happened
\nrepeatedly. To increase the hemoglobin level, a patient needs 300
\ncc to 400 cc of blood transfused every day. Each time he receives
\na transfusion, the hemoglobin level increases, but then drops
\nagain,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The medical team is currently trying to increase Soeharto's
\nhemoglobin level to 11 g\/dl and making every possible effort to
\nstop the bleeding.<\/p>\n
Soeharto was admitted to the hospital last Thursday after
\nblood tests showed he was anemic.<\/p>\n
Mardjo said that Soeharto could still communicate though he
\nappeared weak. The former strongman had insisted that doctors
\ndischarge him from the hospital, the doctor claimed.<\/p>\n
The possibility of Soeharto's recovery is 50-50, according to
\nMardjo, as quoted by AP.<\/p>\n
He did not deny the possibility that Soeharto's declining
\nhealth was connected to his resignation on May 21, 1998.<\/p>\n
\"Psychologically, it is possible,\" he said as quoted by
\nAntara.<\/p>\n
Soeharto, who ruled Indonesia for 32 years, has suffered a
\nnumber of health problems, including two strokes and intestinal
\nbleeding, since he was forced to resign amid violent pro-
\ndemocracy riots almost seven years ago.<\/p>\n
He has been indicted for corruption, but in 2000 judges ruled
\nhe was unfit to stand trial because of brain damage as a result
\nof the strokes.<\/p>\n
Soeharto was seen walking unaided during a recent ceremony to
\ncommemorate the anniversary of the \"Indonesia in Miniature\" Park.
\nHe also managed to cast his ballot during the legislative and
\npresidential elections last year.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/soehartos-condition-unstable-say-doctors-1447893297",
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