Sri Satya Sai Baba’s condition worsened on Thursday as his vital organs showed signs of failing for the first time since the 86-year old Baba was admitted to the Sri Satya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences on March 28.
Doctors said that Baba’s overall health condition was very poor and according to sources, the next 24 hours would be very critical for Baba.
As Sai Baba health deteriorated, the government went into a flurry in Hyderabad, Anantapur and Puttaparthi.
The major industries minister, Dr J. Geeta Reddy, who has been here since the Baba was admitted to hospital as the government’s representative, told this correspondent that the doctors were continuing their efforts to revive the Baba’s vital organs.
As news of Baba’s condition spread, devotees offered prayers all over town and at Prashanthi Nilayam for his recovery.
Members of the Sri Satya Sai Central Trust convened an emergency meeting to take stock of the Baba’s health and the steps needed to be taken in case of an emergency.
The former Chief Justice of India, Justice P.N. Bhagwathi, chartered accountant, Mr Indulal Shah, Mr S.V. Giri, Mr V. Srinivasan and Mr R.J. Ratnakar attended the meeting.
The Chief Minister, Mr N. Kiran Kumar Reddy, was in constant touch with the trust members, the District Collector, Mr Janardhan Reddy, and other senior civil and police officials, said sources. In view of Baba’s deteriorating health and the likely influx of devotees and VVIPs, the police tightened security and imposed Section 144 in the town and set up 150 barricades to devotees visiting Prashanthi Nilayam. The Puttaparthi airport has also been put on high alert.
The director of the hospital, Dr A.N. Safaya, said that the Baba continued to be in a very critical state and there was very poor response from his vital organs. “The intermittent episodes of low blood pressure are persisting indicating that the heart is quite weak.
The parameters of the functioning of the various organs of the body are also erratic,” Dr Safaya said.