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Nepal's ailing PM to head abroad for health check
Nepal's ailing 84-year-old Premier is expected to leave for Thailand or Singapore to get himself checked for breathing problems.
Nepal's ailing 84-year-old premier is expected to head abroad for a lengthy health check-up as the country prepares to enter key talks with Maoist rebels, officials said on Monday.
Girija Prasad Koirala is likely to go to Thailand or Singapore for checks after breathing difficulties forced him to delay his swearing-in ceremony last month and miss the opening session of Parliament.
Koirala, who has been forced to give up his heavy smoking habit, last week was unable to read out the historic proclamation that slashed the king's sweeping powers and ended his control of the armed forces.
"This morning I reassured the prime minister that he needs complete rest and suggested he go for check-ups abroad," said Dr Madhu Ghimire, his personal physician.
"The prime minister agreed and he asked me to carry on with the necessary procedures. Now I'm preparing for his medical visit."
The premier is expected to be away for seven to 10 days as the government prepares for the talks with Maoist rebels who have fought a ten-year insurgency that has left at least 12,500 people dead.
