Vajpayee sips water after three weeks, stable

Former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee had a first sip of water in almost three weeks. The doctors treating him at the AIIMS, where he is admitted since Feb 3, made him drink water to check whether he is able to swallow properly or not.

Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had a first sip of water in almost three weeks on Tuesday. The doctors treating him at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), where he is admitted since February 3, made him drink water to check whether he is able to swallow properly or not.

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“He is doing fine. We gave him water today, and he was able to swallow it well. It is a positive sign,” said Dr Sampath Kumar, chief of cardio thoracic vascular sciences department at the hospital.

There were rumours afloat at AIIMS about Vajpayee improving well and being discharged some time soon, which the doctors treating him rubbished as baseless. “He is still in the ICU and we will not discharge him till he recovers fully,” added Dr Kumar.

The 84-year-old veteran BJP leader was admitted to AIIMS following a severe chest infection. He was later diagnosed with pneumonia and put on ventilatory support.