Soeharto's condition unstable, say doctors

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Former president Soeharto is still confined to the intensive care unit at Pertamina Hospital here, with doctors rating the possibility of his recovery at fifty-fifty.

The team of doctors treating Soeharto said on Monday the 83- year-old former ruler remained unstable because of continuous intestinal bleeding.

"Pak Harto's hemoglobin level currently is recorded at 10.8 g/dl, up from 7.8 g/dl in the beginning after massive bleeding in the intestines. The hemoglobin count in normal people ranges from 12 g/dl to 13 g/dl," said Mardjo Soebiandono, head of the medical team, as quoted by Antara.

He said that Soeharto also suffered from divertivulosis, or protrusions in the intestine, causing a thinning of the walls and bleeding.

"This is an old disease (of Soeharto's) and it has happened repeatedly. To increase the hemoglobin level, a patient needs 300 cc to 400 cc of blood transfused every day. Each time he receives a transfusion, the hemoglobin level increases, but then drops again," he said.

The medical team is currently trying to increase Soeharto's hemoglobin level to 11 g/dl and making every possible effort to stop the bleeding.

Soeharto was admitted to the hospital last Thursday after blood tests showed he was anemic.

Mardjo said that Soeharto could still communicate though he appeared weak. The former strongman had insisted that doctors discharge him from the hospital, the doctor claimed.

The possibility of Soeharto's recovery is 50-50, according to Mardjo, as quoted by AP.

He did not deny the possibility that Soeharto's declining health was connected to his resignation on May 21, 1998.

"Psychologically, it is possible," he said as quoted by Antara.

Soeharto, who ruled Indonesia for 32 years, has suffered a number of health problems, including two strokes and intestinal bleeding, since he was forced to resign amid violent pro- democracy riots almost seven years ago.

He has been indicted for corruption, but in 2000 judges ruled he was unfit to stand trial because of brain damage as a result of the strokes.

Soeharto was seen walking unaided during a recent ceremony to commemorate the anniversary of the "Indonesia in Miniature" Park. He also managed to cast his ballot during the legislative and presidential elections last year.