Pune:
Anti-corruption crusader undergoes treatment in hospital for high blood pressure and osteoarthritis; treating doctor blames Anna's hunger strike for worsened condition
Anna Hazare's crusade against corruption has taken a heavy toll on his health.
He has been told not to skip meals any more. This was confirmed by Dr Parag Sancheti, Hazare's treating doctor and chairman of Sancheti Institute of Orthopaedics, where Hazare was admitted on Monday evening for treatment for pain in the knee.
Hazare had been on a hunger strike in Delhi to press for the Lok Janpal Bill earlier this month.
According to Sancheti, who has been treating Hazare for years, the activist is suffering from a condition known as osteoarthritis, a degenerative problem which is usually seen in people over 40 years of age. Besides this condition, which he has been managing for quite a few years, Hazare also has high cholesterol and blood pressure. According to Sancheti, Hazare's health deteriorated because of his prolonged hunger strike.
"As far as treatment goes, we have started him on steroid injections. He needs to take medication continuously for a week. Besides, we have started him on physiotherapy and traction," said Sancheti.
Hazare's medical investigations showed that he was hypertensive and had high triglycerides.
"We have advised him to eat at regular intervals, and no skipping meals anymore. We have also advised him against weight gain as it could aggravate his problem. So the thrust of recovery is on his diet.
Besides, we have told him to compulsorily take a week's rest, and he cannot undertake activities that will cause strain on his knees. Apart from physiotherapy and traction, Hazare will also be given steroid injections," said Sancheti.
Till Tuesday evening, the hordes of visitors who had flocked to see Hazare were not being allowed anywhere close to the Joint Replacement Centre where he has been admitted.
"Maybe from tomorrow he can meet people. So far we have strictly restricted visitors," said Sancheti.