Kathmandu, November 28

Taking to twitter for the first time since appendicitis surgery, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli today said he was recovering at a rapid pace.

Oli had undergone surgery at Manmohan Cardiothoracic Vascular and Transplant Centre in Maharajgunj on Tuesday. Last evening, he also underwent haemodialysis for the fifth time since October.

The prime minister was initially allowed to meet only his close family members and doctors attending him. However, he met his secretariat members today, according to Oli’s Press Adviser Surya Thapa. President Bidhya Devi Bhandari met the PM this evening and wished him speedy recovery.

Thapa said Oli had started consuming food that met ICU standards and was slowly moving around.

One of the doctors involved in Oli’s treatment said the PM was being served soup, water, black tea and juice. Doctors planned to gradually move him to solid food. The doctor, who spoke to THT on condition of anonymity, said Oli had also been prescribed some exercises. “He exercises on the bed as he has been advised not to get off the bed given a somewhat bigger surgery wound,” the doctor said.

The doctor refused to give the exact date when the PM would be discharged, adding that he might have to stay in the hospital for a few more days.

Talking to mediapersons earlier this afternoon, Dr Arun Sayami, one of the members of the team of doctors attending Oli, said things were gradually returning to normal, but the PM was still under observation in the ICU.

Oli was hospitalised at around 9:00am on Tuesday after he complained of abdominal pain. He was diagnosed with appendicitis and stomach infection (peritonitis). He underwent laparotomy and appendectomy procedures. A team of doctors, including Dr Ramesh Singh Bhandari, gastrointestinal and hepato-pancreato-biliary surgeon at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, carried out the surgery.

The PM has been regularly visiting the hospital after his transplanted kidney failed to function as it should. Oli has undergone five cycles of haemodialysis since October 30.

Earlier a ureteric stent — a small, hollow tube — that was inserted into the ureter between the kidney and bladder was also removed.

Oli underwent a successful kidney transplant in India in 2007 after his kidneys failed. He has made multiple trips to hospitals in foreign countries as well.