Mehdi Hassan admitted to hospital, put on ventilator

The ghazal maestro had to be rushed to hospital after he had trouble breathing.

KARACHI: Legendary ghazal maestro, Mehdi Hassan was admitted into the intensive care unit (ICU) of Karachi’s Aga Khan Hospital after he had trouble breathing, Express News reported on Wednesday.

Hassan, 84, who has been suffering from a lung condition for the past 12 years, had to be rushed to hospital after his condition worsened late on Tuesday, January 10.

Doctors, after analysing his condition, put the ailing musician on a ventilating machine. They conducted Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans and blood tests of the veteran singer, who has recently lost his voice.

“He had trouble in breathing. We immediately rushed him to the hospital. He is in ICU but there is no positive response from the doctors about his condition,” Hassan’s son Arif Mehdi said. “We have been feeding him through tube for the past two years and for the past one month, he has even lost his voice,” he added.

Arif says that while they did not expect any help from any government functionary, but Hassan’s medical treatment ought to be made free for the rest of his natural life.

Doctors are keeping the ghazal maestro under observation.

Hassan was due to visit India for medical treatment last year, however doctors ruled out travel due to his condition.