Ramdev in ICU as condition worsens

Agencies

Haridwar, 11 June 2011:  Fasting yoga guru Baba Ramdev was taken to a Dehradun hospital after his health deteriorated but his close aides insisted their leader has not called off his fast that continued for the seventh day against corruption and for retrieval of black money.

 

Ramdev was taken in an ambulance from his Haridwar ashram after his condition deteriorated on Friday.

 

“Baba Ramdev was taken to Dehradun for hospitalisation. He had agreed (to be taken to the hospital),” an official said.

 

Doctors monitoring his condition advised his hospitalisation due to “weight loss” and “low pulse rate”.

“Baba (Ramdev) has lost 1.5 kg weight in the last one day. His pulse rate is also falling. If it decreases further, it is a matter of concern,” said Yogesh Kumar Sharma, chief medical officer (CMO) of Haridwar.

 

“His urine examination showed the presence of albumin, which is a bad sign in terms of kidney functioning. He was taken to the Jolly Grant Medical College because of his worsening health condition and a team of doctors is accompanying him,” he said.

 

Ramdev on Thursday took lemonade and honey on the request of doctors. He has been on an indefinite fast after being forced to move out of Delhi’s Ramlila Ground a week ago.

 

“Swamiji was taken to ICU, Jolly Grant due to low pulse rate and ketone body found in urine and dehydration,” Ramdev’s spokesperson S.K. Tijarawala said. We appeal for peace and prayers,” he said in a statement.

 

“Technically, the fast is on,” Tijarawala said. “He is determined to continue the fast. He fell unconscious on his way to the ICU.” 

 

R Meenakshi Sundaram, District Magistrate of Haridwar, said Ramdev was persuaded to be hospitalised. “There was no force feeding. He voluntarily agreed. There was danger to his vital organs,” he said adding that  Ramdev was given glucose in the ambulance.