Soeharto's health declines: Doctor

Soeharto's health declines: Doctor

JAKARTA (JP): A team of state-appointed doctors reported on
Wednesday that former president Soeharto's health had regressed
following heart surgery, but that he was still in a relatively
stable condition as of Tuesday.

In the report read out by Attorney General's Office spokesman
Muljohardjo, the doctors revealed that the pacemaker Soeharto had
recently been fitted with could only help his irregular heartbeat
but not the enlargement of his heart.

"As of June 19, in general, Soeharto's health is relatively
stable, but there was an anatomical setback in the condition of
his cerebrum, as the doctors found specks of brain lesions in the
front area," stated the report signed by the Cipto Mangunkusumo
General Hospital's medical team leader Ichramsjah A. Rahman.

"Soeharto is able to carry out limited activities around the
house," the report said.

The team was charged with undertaking Soeharto's medical
treatment, in cooperation with the latter's private doctors, to
ensure the former president was fit enough to face trial on graft
charges of more than US$571 million.

Attorney General Baharuddin Lopa, being impatient with
Soeharto's recovery, revealed on Monday his plan to file a civil
lawsuit against Soeharto.

The doctors revealed that during their routine Tuesday checkup
on June 12, Soeharto was declared in a "state of heart emergency"
as he had an uneven heartbeat and falling blood pressure.

The 80-year-old Soeharto was then taken to Pertamina Hospital
in South Jakarta when he was fitted with a temporary pacemaker to
prepare him for the minor surgery to implant a permanent one the
next day.

After two days of treatment, Soeharto was allowed return to
his house in Menteng, Central Jakarta, which is set up with
medical equipment for his care and where he can rest.

According to the doctors' report last month, Soeharto, who
left office in May 1998 after 32 years in power following riots
and prodemocracy protests, has had various ailments, including
diabetes, stroke, kidney problems and irregular blood pressure.

His condition has yet to improve as disclosed in the Wednesday
report.

"Soeharto's medical treatment focuses on restoring his
physical functions, while gradually giving him therapy to
alleviate the regression of his cognitive functions," the doctors
reported.(bby)