NEW DELHI: Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk was shifted to VMMC & Safdarjung Hospital on Saturday morning after completing 20 days of his indefinite fast at Jantar Mantar, less than 48 hours after the Union health ministry placed three central government hospitals on alert and designated Dr Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital as the nodal centre for any medical emergency involving the protesters.Wangchuk had earlier declined to be shifted to RML Hospital. An emergency registration card issued by the hospital on July 13 records that he voluntarily underwent a medical examination but refused to give consent for treatment and declined transfer to the hospital. The provisional diagnosis noted mild dizziness, with hydration described as fair. His blood pressure was 107/70 mmHg, pulse 72 per minute, oxygen saturation 98% on room air, and random blood sugar 67 mg/dL.Earlier on Friday, a medical team from VMMC & Safdarjung Hospital examined Wangchuk and the other protesters at the protest site.According to Wangchuk’s medical team, as of 9.30 am on Friday, he showed signs of mild dehydration and weighed 56.55 kg, having lost 350 grams in the previous 24 hours as he entered Day 20 of the fast. His blood pressure was 108/68 mmHg, blood sugar 70 mg/dL and pulse 72 per minute. Doctors said he had entered the third stage of prolonged fasting, where organ involvement is possible, and remained under round-the-clock medical monitoring.According to hospital officials, Wangchuk was shifted to VMMC & Safdarjung Hospital on Saturday for medical examination and further care. Hospital authorities are expected to issue an update on his condition after completing the evaluation.On Thursday night, the Union health ministry directed medical teams from RML Hospital, VMMC & Safdarjung Hospital and Lady Hardinge Medical College to conduct twice-daily health examinations of Wangchuk and other participants of the hunger strike. It also asked the hospitals to deploy round-the-clock nursing staff, keep emergency medical support ready and submit daily health reports following concerns that the protesters’ health could deteriorate.
