Kathmandu, June 11

Doctors at Norvic International Hospital, who were involved in the treatment of former Prime Minister Surya Bahadur Thapa, have said that improvement of Thapa’s health condition has come as a medical miracle.

Doctors were not hopeful initially as Thapa had come to the hospital in almost lifeless condition, the hospital said.

Consultant Cardiologist Dr. Bharat Rawat said, "We are extremely happy with his progress."

He is in full senses and in stable condition. He is able to sit in a chair and even walk briefly, Dr. Rawat said on Monday. Thapa has started eating on his own.

"He is still in the heart command centre and on oxygen, he said.

Thapa’s pulse and respiratory levels, blood pressure, heart beats and oxygen level were not visible when he came to the hospital at 10 am on Saturday.

According Dr. Rawat, Thapa had suffered a cardiac arrest, a severe state of heart attack.

"We could get his heart beats back only after using an artificial pacemaker," Dr. Rawat stated.

Thapa is currently in a permanent pacemaker.

A team of heart experts, who performed a by-pass surgery on Thapa in the US 20-years ago, had arrived in Kathmandu from Medanta the Medicity, India, for Thapa’s treatment on Sunday.

Thapa had been living with hypertension and cardiac ailments for the last three decades.

Noted for his strong willpower, Thapa would repeatedly say about his health, "I am living because of hope. Hope is a key medicine for a cardiac patient."

Thapa’s power of hope might have played a miraculous role for his recovery, doctors involved in his treatment have said.