/ 25 October 2006

Third week in hospital for health minister

Ailing Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang would probably spend the rest of the week in hospital, South African Broadcasting Corporation television news

reported on Tuesday.

Although she had shown a remarkable improvement in the past few days, she would probably be discharged only at the end of the week, the Health Ministry told the national broadcaster.

Tshabalala-Msimang was taken to hospital on October 5 as she was not feeling well, but was admitted for tests and to assess her response to treatment for a severe lung infection.

While her doctor was confident of her probable discharge last week, she was still in a private wing of the Johannesburg hospital on Tuesday.

She would remain there for the time being to receive ”physical therapy treatment”, the SABC reported.

Her spokesperson, Sibani Mngadi, said on Saturday that Tshabalala-Msimang’s doctor would advise her whether she should go straight back to work after she was discharged or take some time off.

The health minister spent her 66th birthday in hospital. – Sapa