Mintoff’s medical condition described as stable

The condition of former Prime Minister Dom Mintoff improved yesterday after he was admitted to hospital on Sunday when his level of consciousness deteriorated. Sources said the 94-year-old former Labour leader was thought to be suffering from...

The condition of former Prime Minister Dom Mintoff improved yesterday after he was admitted to hospital on Sunday when his level of consciousness deteriorated.

Sources said the 94-year-old former Labour leader was thought to be suffering from dehydration, not uncommon in the elderly.

He did not suffer a stroke, as initially reported, and this was ruled out by doctors through many investigations, including a CT scan of his brain.

Mr Mintoff has been in and out of hospital these last few months and was only discharged from hospital last week when he was treated for heart problems and suspected aspiration pneumonia, an infection of the lungs caused by breathing in foreign materials, usually food or liquids, into the lungs.

Although Mr Mintoff continued to improve at home, he was noted to be semi-conscious on Sunday and readmitted to Mater Dei Hospital.

His medical team described him as stable, in light of his age and numerous medical problems, including heart failure, par­oxysmal atrial fibrillation (an irregular heart beat) and high blood pressure.

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