Ex-U.S. President, George W. Bush, in intensive care

George W. Bush is currently in intensive care in the U.S.

 

A former President of the United States, George W. Bush, is in the intensive care unit of a Houston hospital and is in “guarded condition,’’ family spokesman, Jim McGrath, has said.

“The president is alert and conversing with medical staff, and is surrounded by family,’’ Mr. McGrath said in a statement.

“Following a series of setbacks including a persistent fever, President Bush was admitted to the intensive care unit at Methodist Hospital on Sunday where he remains in guarded condition,’’ he said. “Doctors at Methodist continue to be cautiously optimistic about the current course of treatment.”

The 88-year-old was admitted to the hospital on November 23 for bronchitis.

A hospital spokesman said in mid-December that the former president was expected to be home from the hospital in time for Christmas, but the spokesman later said doctors felt that the former president should build up his energy before going home.

Bush has lower body Parkinsonism, which causes a loss of balance, and has used wheelchairs for more than a year, Mr. McGrath said in an e-mail on Wednesday.

Mr. Bush, the 41st U.S. president and a Republican, took office in 1989 and served one term in the White House.

The father of the former President also served as a congressman, ambassador to the UN, envoy to China, CIA director and vice president for two terms under Ronald Reagan. His son, Judge Bush, later became American President, serving two-terms before he was succeeded by Barack Obama.

Reuters/NAN