Doctors attending to the ailing, octogenarian political leader said the diarrhea was under control by Friday evening and there was "improvement" in his condition by evening. [break]
"He was unable to speak Thursday night but has now started to speak a little," said Dr Jagadish Agrawal, one of three doctors attending to Koirala. "He has been administered antibiotics as the level of sodium and potassium in his body is low."
The four-time prime minister has long suffered from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. As his condition worsened, he was admitted to Sahid Gangalal Hospital Sunday and discharged after four days. Doctors had then reported improvement in his condition.
According to Nepali Congress leader Krishna Sitaula, who met Koirala Friday, the Nepali Congress president had difficulty breathing early Friday morning.
"He has been further weakened though his condition had improved after treatment [at Shahid Gangalal Hospital] last week," Sitaula further said about Koirala´s health, adding, "He has a raw throat now."
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal and most of his cabinet colleagues reached Mandikhatar, where Koirala is staying with daughter and Deputy Prime Minister Sujata Koirala, to see the ailing Koirala.
"Koirala talked to the prime minister briefly," Sitaula, who was present during the meeting, said. "He asked the prime minister to work for the nation."
Doctors advised that Koirala be taken to hospital but Koirala was unwilling, Sitaula added.
Health Minister Uma Kant Chaudhary, who also visited Koirala, said the government has ensured all needed facilities for Koirala´s treatment at Mandikhatar.
Asked whether Koirala would be taken abroad again, Chaudhary said the government would leave no stone unturned.
Last November, Koirala was taken to Singapore by air ambulance when he fell seriously ill. He received treatment at Gleneagles Hospital, a 380-bed private tertiary acute care facility there.
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