Lee Kuan Yew is currently at the intensive care unit but his condition is stable, according to the Singapore government. – AFP pic, February 21, 2015.
Singapore's founding prime minister Lee Kuan Yew, 91, is on "mechanical ventilation" at a hospital intensive care unit (ICU) but his condition is stable, the government said today.
A statement from the Prime Minister's Office said Lee was admitted to the Singapore General Hospital on February 5 for severe pneumonia.
"His condition has stabilised and he remains on mechanical ventilation in the ICU. He is conscious and lightly sedated," the statement said.
"His doctors are continuing to monitor his condition."
Lee, the father of current prime minister Lee Hsien Loong, is widely credited with transforming Singapore from an economic backwater to one of Asia's wealthiest economies in just over three decades.
He served as prime minister from 1959, when Singapore gained self-rule from colonial ruler Britain, until he stepped down in 1990 in favour of his deputy Goh Chok Tong, who in turn handed power to Lee Hsien Loong in 2004.
The People's Action Party, which was co-founded by the elder Lee, has been returned to power in every election since 1959 and currently holds 80 of the 87 seats in parliament.
In a book published in 2013, the Asian statesman said he feels weaker by the day and wants a quick death.
The longtime fitness buff has visibly slowed since his wife of 63 years Kwa Geok Choo died in 2010. – AFP
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.