President’s recovery going well, says Akdağ

ANKARA - Hürriyet Daily News

The recovery of President Abdullah Gül, who has been suffering an acute ear infection, is going well, Health Minister Recep Akdağ said yesterday.

“The matter about his ear is going extremely well. A very good team, friends at Hacettepe [University Hospital] along with a team of experts, has been consulting with him, a lot of experts are following [his situation] together. Thank God, his situation is good,” Akdağ was quoted as saying by Anatolia news agency in response to questions at a press conference he was holding to announce the results of the “Health Ministry Staff Tobacco Use Research.”

Five more days in hospital

When asked when surgery would be necessary for Gül, Akdağ said related statements had already been made by the president’s doctors, and referred reporters to such statements. “As far as I know, it is not [on the agenda], but do not ask this question to me,” Akdağ said.

As of Tuesday, Gül was advised to stay in the hospital for five more days to continue intense medical care, and doctors also recommended that the president not attend Victory Day ceremonies and festivities.

The 62-year-old president suffered from increased fluid and pressure in both ears and had to cut a trip to Kyrgyzstan short on Aug. 23 in order to return home for treatment. The recurring ear infection is something the president has struggled with for years. Upon his return, he was immediately rushed to Hacettepe University Hospital.