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Dhirubhai Ambani's condition still critical

Priya Ganapati in Mumbai

Dhirubhai Ambani, Chairman of Reliance Industries Limited, continues to be in a 'critical' condition, nearly 36 hours after he suffered a cerebral stroke on June 24.

Ambani is in the Intensive Care Unit of the Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai.

The panel of doctors aided by foreign experts attending on Ambani made a thorough analysis of the medical test reports (such as CT scan) and has now decided to extend the observation period from 48 hours to 72 hours. The 72-hour observation period ends Thursday evening.

Earlier in the day, while maintainig that "there has been no change in his condition", Vernon P D'Sa, general manager, Breach Candy Hospital said: The EEG (electroencephalogram, a recording of the electrical patterns of the brain) reports are favorable. But every hour is crucial now."

Ambani is unconscious and continues to be on life support. Last night, doctors at the hospital said that 48-hours, from the time of his admission to the hospital would be the critical period.

An official spokesperson of Reliance said, "Dhirubhai Ambani's condition during the day though critical, has been stable and he continues to receive the highest quality care at the Intensive Care Unit of the Breach Candy Hospital."

The team of five doctors from the hospital treating Ambani is consulting with international medical institutions and experts to ensure the best possible treatment.

Meanwhile, President K R Narayanan, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and leader of Oppostion Sonia Gandhi enquired about the health of the Reliance patriarch.

They telephoned Mukesh Ambani, elder son of Ambani, and enquired about his father's health, a company official said.

The CEO of the hospital Vijay Krishna said Ambani's medical case papers have been sent abroad for an expert opinion. "No foreign doctors are coming but we have sent Ambani's case papers aboard," he said, but did not specify to which foreign hospital or doctors the papers have been sent.

A steady stream of visitors, which included politicians, celebrities and bureaucrats, continued to visit the Ambanis to express their solidarity and pray for the Reliance patriarch's quick recovery.

Congress party leader, R K Dhawan, film star Chunky Pandey, industrialist Adi Godrej and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Digvijay Singh visited the hospital. In the morning, Maharashtra Governor P C Alexander sent a message with his wishes.

The entire Ambani family, including Dhirubhai's wife Kokilaben, his sons Mukesh and Anil, their wives Nita and Tina, and daughter continue to maintain their vigil at the hospital.

Additional inputs: Agencies

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