Karunakaran put on ventilator, critical (Second Lead)

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - Former Kerala chief minister K. Karunakaran, who has been hospitalised for the past few days, was put on a ventilator and his condition continued to be critical, a medical bulletin said Monday.

The bulletin was issued at 4 p.m. by a private hospital where the 92-year-old Congress leader was admitted.

Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan and Health Minister P.K. Sreemathi met the doctors and told reporters that his condition was serious but it had improved slightly since morning.

The veteran Congress leader had breathlessness and his blood count was low. His kidneys were also not functioning properly but his heart was normal, a doctor said.

Karunakaran was admitted to hospital following fever Dec 10.

His son, daughter and Congress party supporters were by his side, the bulletin said.

Karunakaran has been admitted to hospital on more than two occasions this year. In November last year, he spent more than a week in hospital.