Kathmandu: Former Nepalese Prime Minister Sushil Koirala was taken to a hospital as an ambulance could not be called on time despite repeated attempts, his personal physician claimed on Thursday amid criticism over the handling of the leader's illness.
Koirala's personal physician Karbir Nath Yogi said he called the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, one of the nearest health facilities from the leader's residence, 13 times for an ambulance, but the phone was not received.
"The Koirala residence, of course, had other vehicles. But, it would be riskier to take him on such vehicles without any oxygen," Yogi told journalists. The Nepali Congress President passed away in the wee hours of Wednesday. He was 79.
Yogi also confirmed media reports that a bed was booked for the veteran leader from Monday morning. However, Yogi said Koirala's health gradually improved and the plan to take him to the hospital was put off.
"On Friday, Sushil Dai said he had fever and we responded to that. On Saturday, he said he was feeling worse and we administered antibiotics," Yogi was quoted as saying by The Himalayan Times.
"On Sunday at 6:00 am, he called me and I reached there by 6:30. His condition was stable then. On Monday evening, I returned home at 9:30. He had taken some food then. Neither was there any fever," the doctor said.
Yogi said Koirala's nephew Atul called him later to inform that he had noticed some problem in Koirala's breathing. "I rushed there with some injections. I gave him three injections, but could not find time (to take him to hospital)," he said.
Yogi said Koirala did not have any cut injury on his forehead as rumoured on social media. He, however, admitted that his blanket had received a bloodstain while injecting. The doctor's remarks came after Nepal's major dailies raised questions over Koirala's death and handling of the leader's ill-health.
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