Nelson Mandela Remains In Critical Condition

Nelson Mandela is in in critical condition for the second day on Monday, as he continues to be treated for a lung infection in a Pretoria, South Africa hospital, reported The New York Times.

“Doctors are doing everything possible to ensure his well-being and comfort,” President Jacob Zuma said during a news conference on Monday. Zuma and deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa visited Mandela in the hospital on Sunday. “Given the hour [of the visit], he was already asleep. We were there, looked at him, saw him and then we had a bit of a discussion with the doctors and his wife,” Mr. Zuma continued. “I don’t think I’m in a position to give further details. I’m not a doctor.”

Mandela was first hospitalized due to the serious lung infection about two weeks ago. At the time, South Africa officials had stated he was in “serious but stable condition.” This is the third instance in the last year that his recurrent lung troubles have seen him hospitalized. In April, he was hospitalized for pneumonia, and in December he spent 18 days undergoing treatment for his lung ailments and for gallstones. His pulmonary issues can be traced back to when he contracted tuberculosis 27 years ago while held prisoner on Robben Island under South Africa’s white government.

Mandela became the first black president of South African in 1994, and held the office until he retired in 1999. The anti-apartheid icon has been awarded more than 250 awards for his humanitarian efforts, including the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993, the US Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Soviet Order of Lenin.

Mandela retired from public life in 2004, and was last seen in public during 2010’s World Cup soccer finals in South Africa.

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