Basu down with fractured rib

Left leader Jyoti Basu has suffered a cracked rib and some injuries after a fall at his residence, report Subhendu Maiti and Saptarshi Banerjee.

Left leader Jyoti Basu suffered a cracked rib and some injuries after a fall at his residence here on Wednesday. He has been advised complete rest for a couple of weeks.

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Basu’s personal assistant Joy Krishna Ghosh said on Thursday: “Basu suffered a fall when he was going to the bathroom. He then complained of chest pain. I informed the superintendent of Bidhannagar sub-divisional hospital and his family physician, A.K. Maiti, immediately. The doctors then took an X-ray at home itself.”

Orthopedic surgeon Pankaj Dasgupta, who attended to Basu, told the Hindustan Times that the 94-year-old leader had fractured a rib on the right side of his chest but there was no cause for concern. “I visited him on Wednesday and advised him to use a rib guard around the affected area,” he said, adding that he had also prescribed some mild painkillers and calcium. “When I was examining his chest region, he complained of pain. I was astonished to find out he was able to take so much pain even at this age,” Dr Dasgupta said.