Parrikar to undergo endoscopy; stays under observation

Panaji, Feb 24 (IANS) Hospitalised Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar will be under observation till Monday, Goa Health Minister Vishwajit Rane said here on Sunday, urging people "not to speculate" about his health.

A team of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) doctors, led by professor of gastroenterology Pramod Garg, is expected conduct an endoscopy procedure late on Sunday, sources said.

Earlier on Sunday, Rane tweeted: "Called on the Hon'ble CM today morning, he will be kept under observation till tomorrow. But most importantly, he is doing well and his parameters are satisfactory. Happy to see him active and alert. Appeal to the people not to speculate, instead, pray for his speedy recovery."

Amid reports of his deteriorating health Parrikar, who is suffering from advanced pancreatic cancer, was hospitalised on Saturday evening.

While the Chief Minister's Office on Saturday said he was stable and was being admitted for a gastrointestinal endoscopy, Rane speaking to reporters in the night denied the same, triggering further speculation about Parrikar's health.

Garg, who arrived in Goa on Sunday, is expected to conduct the endoscopy procedure on Parrikar later tonight.

Sources at the Goa Medical College, where the Chief Minister is admitted, said Parrikar was being treated for internal bleeding. "The internal bleeding was caused by a cut near the intestine," the source said.

Parrikar was diagnosed with advanced pancreatic cancer in February last year and has been in and out of hospitals in Goa, Mumbai, Delhi and New York since.

Meanwhile, the Congress in Goa has asked people to pray for the Chief Minister's health and not to mock his ill-health.