Soeharto suffered multiorgan failure andwas placed on a ventilator Friday, doctors said, as family members rushed to the former Indonesian dictator’s bedside. Physicians called his deteriorating health “alarming.”The 86-year-old was hospitalized in critical condition one week ago with anemia and a low heart rate. He initially responded well to a blood transfusion and kidney dialysis. His condition hasfluctuated almost daily, but Friday’s drop was the most dramatic.

Marjo Subiandono, the chief presidential doctor, said Soeharto suffered multiorgan failure and was placed him on a ventilator after his breathing became fast and shallow. Earlier, doctors said there were signs of infection in his lungs and that he was losing consciousness.

The former strongman was given a tranquilizer to help him sleep, the doctor said.

“His condition is deteriorating,” said Ismoyo, a cardiologist, who was among those describing Soeharto’s state Friday as “alarming.” “It’s worse than it was this morning.”

Relatives gathered by Suharto’s bedside to pray and recite verses from the Quran, a close aide to the family told The Associated Press. He asked not to be named because he was not authorized tospeak to the media.

Soeharto was ousted in 1998 amid massive student protests and nationwide riots, opening the way for democracy in this predominantly Muslim nation of 235 million people. The retired five-star general withdrew from public life, venturing from his comfortable villa on a leafy lane in the capital only to attend family functions or for medical emergencies.

Source : http://www.thejakartapost.com