Nelson Mandela Responding To Treatment
Former South African president Nelson Mandela is responding well to treatment, according to his doctors. The former president has spent the last few days in the hospital fighting a recurring lung infection.
Mandela was rushed to the hospital six days ago, where he was admitted in serious condition. But after a few days of little word from doctors, they announced on Thursday that his condition has improved.
Meanwhile, the former South African president’s family spoke out for the first time since he was admitted to the hospital this time.
Nelson Mandela’s grandson, Mandla, stated outside the family’s home in Houghton, Pretoria, “We appreciate the support we have received. We are particularly honored to have received all the prayers and messages.”
Mandla also expressed his thanks to everyone supporting Mandela through his, adding, “we appreciate the support we have received.” Along with Mandela’s family, current South African president Jacob Zuma also announced that Mandela was responding well to treatment.
Two sources within Nelson Mandela’s family added that they were optimistic about his progress and believed that the former president would return to his home soon. It is the third time this year that Mandela was admitted to the hospital with lung issues.
Mandela also spent several days in the hospital at the end of March for a similar issue. He spent more than a week there before doctors allowed the 94-year-old to go home.
The former president’s lung issues started while he spent 27 years as a political prisoner in South Africa. During that time, he contracted tuberculosis. The debilitating disease weakened his lungs, making them especially vulnerable to infection.
When he was released in 1999, Nelson Mandela took his fight against apartheid to the presidency, where he toppled the minority white leadership and became the nation’s first black president.
While friends and family filed in and outside of the hospital where Nelson Mandela is recovering, the media and supporters waited outside to hear updates on his condition.
