Health of Indonesia's Suharto worsening

Health of Indonesia's Suharto worsening - doctors

	Published : Tue, 08 Jan 2008 09:05 By : Agencies Print this Story

JAKARTA (Thomson Financial) - The health of Indonesia's ailing former dictator Suharto worsened Tuesday as his heart weakened amid problems with his blood despite a transfusion, one of his doctors said.

The 86-year-old former president, who ruled Indonesia with an iron fist for 32 years until an ignominious downfall in 1998, was hospitalised last Friday for heart and kidney problems after falling ill at home earlier in the week.

His condition was described as critical but had been improving on Monday. A stream of well-wishers visited him but doctors said Tuesday that Suharto's decline meant they could no longer do so.

Suharto's condition 'shows a regression. His urine condition is worsening and the accumulation of liquid in his lungs is growing,' said Marjo Soebiandono, who heads the team of doctors caring for the former leader.

'There are signs of bleeding in his urine and faeces,' he told reporters, adding that the patient's haemoglobin count had fallen despite receiving a blood transfusion on Monday, with another planned for Tuesday.

Tests had shown that a segment of Suharto's heart had stopped moving, Soebiandono said.

Doctors have already said that Suharto requires a second pacemaker operation, which will only be carried out if he stabilises.

'Considering the condition of Suharto, which continues to be unstable and needs intensive action and monitoring, for the time being visiting him is not allowed,' the doctor said.

Suharto was weak but conscious, and able to communicate and reply to questions, Soebiandono said.

Another doctor on the team, Hermansyur, said they would continue with dialysis to try and improve Suharto's condition sufficiently to install a second pacemaker.

'If this can be done, and we do not know when, then we will install the equipment. Our aim is to make conditions optimal for Suharto to meet the requirements for the installation,' he told the briefing.

The reclusive Suharto -- rarely seen in public since his downfall -- has been admitted to hospital suffering from a variety of ailments in recent years, including at least two strokes and stomach problems.

A criminal trial against him for corruption was abandoned in 2006 because of his poor health. That disappointed many keen to see justice over the alleged theft of billions of dollars by Suharto, his family and cronies while in power.

But Suharto is still the target of a civil lawsuit, with the government seeking 1.4 billion dollars in damages and from the return of assets allegedly accrued through a charitable foundation Suharto chaired while in power.

Indonesia's attorney general on Monday rejected calls by Suharto's allies for the civil case and others being investigated to be dropped.

Hearings in the current suit continued on Tuesday as normal.

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Health of Indonesia's Suharto worsening - doctors