External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj is suffering from kidney failure and will soon need to undergo a transplant. However, the procedure may take some time as a donor is yet to be found for the Minister. The information was made public by Sushma herself from the hospital bed on Wednesday.
“Friends: This is to update you on my health. I am in AIIMS because of kidney failure. Presently, I am on dialysis. I am undergoing tests for a kidney transplant. lord Krishna will bless,” Swaraj tweeted.
“Since a donor from her immediate family is not available right now, the kidney transplant might take some more time. The search for a suitable donor is on. Meanwhile, she is on maintenance dialysis as and when required,” said AIIMS sources. Swaraj, 64, was allowed to go home on Wednesday but she will be back at AIIMS again on Thursday, sources added.
Swaraj, who has been in and out of the hospital for the past few months, was admitted to AIIMS on November 7. A team of doctors comprising Professor (Nephrology) Dr Sandip Mahajan, HOD (Endocrinology) Nikhil Tandon, HOD (Pulmonary Medicine) Dr Randeep Guleria, and Chief of the Cardio Thoracic Centre Balram Airan are treating her.
Shortly after Swaraj tweeted about her health, she was flooded with get well soon wishes from people from all walks of life. Some even offered to donate a kidney to her. “My prayers are with you. May you get well soon,” tweeted Union Minister for Food Processing Harsimrat Kaur Badal. Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje said, “My prayers & good wishes are with you, Sushma ji. May you get well soon.”
Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi and National Conference leader Omar Abdullah too joined in sending their good wishes. “Sushma Ji, we are with you in this difficult time. Hope you get better very soon,” tweeted Rahul.
Abdullah said, “Very sorry to hear about your health problems @SushmaSwaraj ji. My father went through the same so I know how you & the family must feel.”