Prayers for Nelson Mandela, 94, back in hospital with lung infection

 
Lung infection: Former South African President Nelson Mandela
AFP
Michael Howie28 March 2013

Nelson Mandela was today back in hospital having treatment for a lung infection — a condition which put him in hospital over Christmas.

The former South African president and anti-apartheid leader, 94, went to hospital just before midnight, according to the office of president Jacob Zuma. Mr Mandela is being treated for a “recurrence of his lung infection” and doctors are ensuring he has the best possible treatment, a statement said.

Mr Zuma wished Mr Mandela a speedy recovery and urged South Africans and the world to pray for the “beloved” former leader and his family. “We have full confidence in the medical team and know they will do everything possible to ensure recovery,” he said.

Mr Mandela’s spokesman Mac Maharaj told Sky News the former president was “conscious”, adding: “They are doing everything they can to keep him comfortable and happy.” He said that last time he saw Mr Mandela he was frail but in a “good frame of mind”.

Mr Mandela has become increasingly frail in recent years. He spent 18 days in hospital in Johannesburg in December with a lung infection and gallstones. He was discharged on December 27, but doctors warned he was “not yet fully recovered” and his treatment continued at his Johannesburg home, including being given extra oxygen.

The Nobel Peace Laureate spent a night in hospital on March 9 when he had what a presidential spokesman called a “successful” medical test.

A year ago, Mr Mandela was admitted to hospital for what officials initially described as tests but what turned out to be an acute respiratory infection.

Under South Africa’s white-minority apartheid regime, he served 27 years in prison before being released in 1990. He has struggled with lung problems since he contracted tuberculosis in jail. He became the nation’s first democratically elected president in 1994 under the banner of the African National Congress, helping to negotiate a peaceful end to apartheid and holding office for five years before retiring.

His last major public appearance was when South Africa hosted the 2010 World Cup.

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