R K Laxman critical but stable, say docs

Eminent cartoonist R K Laxman has suffered three mild strokes and admitted to the intensive care unit of a hospital in Mumbai where doctors described his condition as critical but stable.

Eighty-six-year-old Laxman suffered a stroke on Thursday last in Pune and was admitted to Sahyadri Hospital there, where he suffered two more mild strokes affecting his right portion and speech, Dr Vinkar Gunjal, a friend and a physician of Laxman said.

Laxman was brought to Breach Candy here by an air ambulance on Sunday evening.

Hospital sources said, Laxman who is a diabetic, has also developed mild kidney problem and also some infection as his white blood corpuscles are on a higher side.

"Therefore, he is being treated for stroke, kidney problem, and also for the infection," the team of doctors attending on him, said.

"The next 48 hours are critical," they said.

"We preferred to get him treated at Breach Candy as during his last stroke, he was treated by a team of doctors headed by Neurologist Dr B S Singhal," his son Srinivas Laxman said.

Singhal has taken charge of India's best-known cartoonist.

The Magsaysay award winner had suffered a stroke six years ago which affected the left portion of his body. He was doing fine since then and residing at his Pune residence.

Creator of the Common Man, Laxman has been honoured  with the Pamda Vibhushan.

Image: R K Laxman