Nepali Congress leader Chakra Prasad Bastola has been shifted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and put on partial ventilator support at the National Institute of Neurological and Allied Sciences in Bansbari after his health condition suddenly deteriorated on Thursday night.

Bastola, 71, who suffered brain haemorrhage some five years ago, was admitted to the hospital six days back following problems in respiratory tract. “He had to be shifted to the ICU two days ago after shortness of breath and blood electrolyte imbalance,” a statement issued from the hospital reads.

Doctors involved in his treatment said Bastola was brought to hospital for his respiratory problems. 

“He has been kept on partial ventilator support,” said Dr Pratyush Shrestha, a neurosurgeon at the hospital. A patient on partial ventilator support gets machine assistance for breathing.

“He is recovering well. We did a chest X-ray and there are encouraging improvements. We plan to continue management in the intensive care unit for a few days.” Bastola is receiving intensive chest physiotherapy as well, the hospital said.