KATHMANDU: Preparations are being made to take the ailing Maoist leader and former minister Barsha Man Pun abroad for treatment. It has been learned that he is likely to be flown to Bangkok this afternoon. Pun's wife and Speaker of the Parliament Onsari Gharti is accompanying him on the medical trip, according to Gharti's press advisor Babin Sharma. It is, however, not yet clear how long the couple would stay there, Sharma informed. 'We have the Parliament meeting here on March 2,' Sharma told THT Online over phone, 'The Speaker will decide whether to stay in Bangkok or leave him (Pun) there and come back (for the House business) after some check-ups.' Pun, who is a trusted aide of Maoist Chairman and Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, was admitted to the Dhapasi-based Grande International Hospital after suffering from high fever last week. Earlier also, Pun was taken to Bangkok in December 2015. He was admitted to Sukhumvit Samitivej Hospital treatment of liver-related ailments. Pun reportedly suffers from hereditary hyperbilirubinemia. 'Discharged for follow-up' In a statement issued in the afternoon, the Dhapasi-based facility quoted its Medical Director Dr Chakra Raj Pandey as saying that Pun has been discharged from the hospital and referred to the Sukhumvit Samitivej Hospital in Bangkok as 'he was already late for a regular follow-up.' Pun's fever was controlled and he is normal now, the hospital claimed. Pun's treatment had been done earlier in the Bangkok-based hospital in coordination with the Grande International Hospital, according to the statement. Pulmonologists Dr Arjun Karki, Dr Ravi Mahat, Dr Prashant Tripathi and gastroenterologist Dr Vivek Sharma were looking after the ailing leader, the hospital said.

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