Mintoff critical but stable

Former Prime Minister Dom Mintoff remained in critical condition until last night but began responding to treatment, according to an official hospital bulletin.

The Department of Information said Mr Mintoff “is still undergoing acute care…

“Although he is showing signs of improvement, his general condition remains critical.”

His daughter, who was with him in the hospital’s intensive therapy unit last night, has thanked everyone for their support during this time.

“We are hoping for the best… He is a fighter so we are hopeful,” Yana Mintoff Bland said, speaking from inside the hospital corridors.

She had not left her father’s side after he was taken to Mater Dei Hospital on Wednesday suffering from a chest infection.

“He is not conscious but he knows we’re here… We are very happy with the care he’s receiving and grateful for the support and prayers,” she said.

Mr Mintoff, an architect known by many as Il-Perit, turns 96 on August 6. Over the past two years he has been in and out of hospital diagnosed with numerous conditions common among the elderly.

In February, he spent nine days in hospital suffering from a severe chest infection and heart failure.

He was hospitalised in Gozo for pneumonia last October but returned home the same week.

Mr Mintoff served as Malta’s Prime Minister between 1956 and 1958 and again from 1971 to 1984.