Spiritual leader Sathya Sai Baba's condition is stable but he remains on ventilator to support his respiratory function, doctors treating him here said Tuesday.
According to a medical bulletin Baba remained on ventilator to support his respiratory function and on the CRRT (continuous renal replacement therapy) system to assist his kidney function.
The 84-year-old guru entered the Sri Satya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences last week for lung and chest congestion. A hospital statement said he was stable Tuesday, after describing his condition as critical.
Sai Baba has a huge international following, and devotees are flocking to his ashram in Puttaparti town in the southern Andhra Pradesh state. They consider him a living god and miracle worker who can conjure small objects such as rings and watches from his curly hair.
Police are on guard to prevent devotees from gathering outside the hospital in hopes of receiving a blessing from the guru.
A.N. Safaya, the director of the Sathya Sai Baba Hospital, said the guru’s health continued to be critical in spite of receiving CRT treatment for his failing kidney.
A medical bulletin reported no change in his condition since morning.
With the numbers of devotees beginning to swell, district police have cordoned off the hospital premises. Dignitaries have been requested not to come to Puttaparthi.
The Andhra Pradesh government has deputed senior doctors led by health secretary P. V. Ramesh to oversee the ailing guru’s medical treatment.
Hundreds of devotees fished out a statue of local goddess Sathyamma from a local reservoir. Some said the idol’s disappearance had caused the Baba’s ill health.
