/ 27 January 2011

Media keep watch outside Mandela’s hospital

Media Keep Watch Outside Mandela's Hospital

Security was tight at Milpark Hospital in Johannesburg on Thursday as media hovered outside awaiting news of former president Nelson Mandela’s health.

Mandela (92) was admitted to the hospital on Wednesday for what the Nelson Mandela Foundation called “routine tests”.

The Star reported on Thursday that Mandela was seen by a pulmonologist.

Professor Michael Plit, a specialist pulmonologist (who deals with diseases of the respiratory system) at Milpark Hospital confirmed to the paper that he had seen Mandela on Wednesday.

“He has been admitted for investigation,” Plit was quoted as saying.

He would not say what Mandela’s condition was or if he had examined him, except to say he had seen him.

The newspaper reported that he was described as Mandela’s personal physician.

On the National Asthma Education Programme website, Plit describes his medical interests as obstructive lung diseases, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Security tightened
Mandela’s personal assistant, Zelda la Grange, arrived at the hospital at about 9am on Thursday. Photographers surrounded her car as she was ushered into the hospital by security guards.

Police tightened security at the hospital and kept out scores of journalists, photographers and cameramen, who were left to wait in the street leading up to the hospital.

Traffic was backed up as officials searched vehicles for cameras.

African National Congress (ANC) officials were planning to visit the former president some time on Thursday, e.news reported. When asked for confirmation by the South African Press Association, ANC spokesperson Jackson Mthembu said the matter was between the ANC, the hospital and the family.

Various family members, Mandela’s wife Graca Machel, his eldest grandson, chief Mandla Mandela, daughter Zindzi, and a number of grand- and great-grandchildren visited him on Wednesday, the Star reported.

Business Day reported Mandela’s former wife, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, and his former personal assistant Jessie Duarte also visited the hospital.

Military ambulance
CNN reported on Wednesday night that Mandela was flown from Cape Town to Milpark Hospital and brought to the hospital by military ambulance.

Hospital spokesperson Erin Walsh would not comment.

“It is our policy to respect patients and we would not give any details about the admission to anyone expect the family,” she said.

The Foundation issued a brief statement just after 4pm on Wednesday reading: “We can confirm that Mr Mandela is at Milpark Hospital undergoing routine tests. He is in no danger and is in good spirits.”

There had been no further word from the foundation by 9.30am on Thursday.

‘Unwarranted speculation’
Meanwhile, the ANC on Thursday called for the media to stop speculating about Mandela’s health and allow the family privacy.

“We appeal, particularly to the media fraternity, to refrain from making unfounded and unwarranted speculation in relation to Madiba’s health,” spokesperson Jackson Mthembu said.

“In the same vain we also request the media, in particular, to give Madiba’s family and the hospital the necessary privacy.”

He said South Africans would be informed of any change, including his discharge from Milpark hospital in Johannesburg.

The foundation, Madiba’s family and all officials close to the elderly statesman have been mum on details about his health — sparking speculations on social networks about the legendary politician’s condition.

“It is a well-known fact that Madiba is 92 years old and no longer a young man,” Mthembu said.

“As South Africans, let us all allow doctors at the hospital to do their best in conducting tests on our elder statesman.” — Sapa