Former South African President Nelson Mandela is still hospitalized but feeling “much better” and steadily improving.
Mandela was admitted to the hospital last week after doctors realized his recurring lung infection was not healing as expected. Mandela’s condition was first revealed by the country’s presidential office on Wednesday.
The 94-year-old Mandela was treated for pneumonia over the weekend, days after his March 27 admittance. Mandela had fluid removed from his lungs, and doctors gave a positive prognosis following the procedure.
In February, Mandela was admitted to the hospital for what officials claimed was a routine checkup.
Mandela’s lung infection has been a nagging problem for months. During the Christmas holiday, Nelson Mandela was admitted to the hospital for a lung infection. The first black President of South Africa had gallstones removed while undergoing treatment for his lung infection.
Questions about Mandela’s ailing health were raised during his Christmas stay. That was the longest period of time Mandela has spent in a hospital since being released from prison in 1990.
The former leaders ailing health has kept him out of the public eye since his appearance at the South Africa hosted World Cup in 2010.
Nelson Mandela has suffered a long history of lung problems. The former President contracted tuberculosis during his 27-year prison term. Mandela was being held as a political prisoner on Robben Island during apartheid.
Mandela has been receiving a regular group of visitors, consisting mostly of his family and close friends.
No further information about Nelson Mandela’s hospitalization and recovery have been revealed at this time.
