Suharto making surprising recovery

Former Indonesian president Suharto was able to raise his arm on request and even tried to speak, doctors said yesterday, as the ailing 86-year-old showed further signs of recovery after more than two weeks in hospital.

The former general has been critically ill since suffering multiple organ failure on Jan. 4, but doctors now say he could eventually recover enough to go home.

The vast country of 226 million people has been gripped by the swings in Suharto's health in recent weeks.

The former strongman remains a polarising figure. He ruled Indonesia with an iron fist for 32 years and has never been brought to trial for human rights abuses or corruption that occurred while he was in power.

Jusuf Misbach, a neurologist, told a news conference Suharto was conscious on Sunday morning and could follow instructions.

"When we asked him to lift his hand, he lifted his left hand. He could feel itching. So he is getting better," Misbach said.

"He even tried to speak although his voice was still weak."

A tube for Suharto's ventilator, which doctors hope to remove gradually, was switched on Saturday to his throat from the mouth to reduce risk of infection and damage to voice chords.

The head of Suharto's medical team, who last weekend gave Suharto only a 50:50 chance of survival, said his blood pressure was now stable, heart and lungs were functioning better and signs of systemic infection were under control.

"Today's program is to continue the improvement of the condition in general," Mardjo Soebiandono said, adding that Suharto would get physiotherapy, as well as help with his speech.

Soebiandono warned, however, that Suharto's condition was still critical.

Agencies

(China Daily 01/21/2008 page6)