The condition of union Science and Technology MinisterVilasrao Deshmukh, admitted to the Global Hospital here, continues to becritical, an official said, adding his family members have declined permissionto issue a medical bulletin about his status.
"Deshmukh's condition continues to be critical. Howeverwe are not in a position to issue a medical bulletin as the union minister'sfamily refused permission for that." the official told IANS, speaking oncondition of anonymity.
Told that Deshmukh is not just an individual but also aunion minister, the official said the hospital is helpless as the family hasnot given the nod.
Earlier a senior hospital official had told IANS that astatement about the health condition of Deshmukh would be issued in theafternoon.
With no such official communication forthcoming from thehospital and the family, speculation was rife about Deshmukh's condition.
"He is alive. Many of the media reports are speculativein nature," the official said.
Hospital officials refused to confirm or deny the reportsthat Deshmukh is on ventilator/life support systems.
Officials at Global Hospital said that Deshmukh is in theintensive care unit (ICU) for serious liver ailment.
"The ward is out of bounds except for doctors and paramedical staff," he said.
Queried about whether a liver transplant is being looked at,the official said: "As far as the information with me, the attendingdoctors are not planning any transplant for two days."
He said the health parameters of Deshmukh has to bestabilised first before any transplant operation is considered.
Liver specialist Mohammed Rela is attending to the formerMaharashtra chief minister.
Deshmukh, 67, was rushed to the hospital Monday evening fromMumbai's Breach Candy hospital in an air ambulance.
"From the Chennai airport he was brought to ourhospital in our ambulance," the official said.
Deshmukh's family members are with him.
Deshmukh, who had been complaining of abdominal pain for awhile, had been taken to Breach Candy Hospital last week for what was describedas "a routine check-up".
For the last few months, Deshmukh has been taking lightassignments to avoid strain on account of his health condition, a Congressofficial indicated.