JAKARTA, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) — The health of former Indonesian president Soeharto suddenly deteriorated Friday afternoon with multi-organ failure that made him difficult to breath and unconscious, doctors said here.
The head of presidential doctor team Mardjo Soebiandono told a joint press conference that doctors were struggling to help the condition of former strong man by using maximal drug and ventilator to help him breath.
“The consciousness decreases, the breath worsens and blood tension downs, (and) multi-organ failure,” said Soebiandono.
“Until now the effort (helping Soeharto) is conducted as maximal as possible,” he said.
He said that his condition is still unstable.
At the same time, Indonesian Vice President Jusuf Kalla, who is the chairman of the biggest Golkar Party, visited the retired general Soeharto again.
Besides, family members, including his sons and grandchildren, gathered at the hospital.
Soebiandono said that Soeharto had inflammation on his lungs and the installment of equipment to synchronize the movement of his heart was delayed, waiting for better condition.
Soeharto had ruled Indonesia for 32 years before he was toppled in 1998. He faced numerous allegation of human rights violation and corruption during his rules, but in May 2006, prosecutors closed a criminal case against him due to his deteriorating health.
Soeharto has been frequently treated in the hospital in recent years for a stroke and intestinal bleeding.