Maradona improving, doctors say
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (Reuters) -- Diego Maradona, still in intensive care four days after being taken to hospital with heart and breathing problems, could be taken off a respirator this week.
"He is still being given help breathing, with a favorable development," said the statement issued by the Suizo-Argentino clinic on Thursday.
"If the breathing measurements remain adequate, the removal of mechanical assistance will be evaluated in the next 24 hours. The infection situation is evolving favourably, but the outlook is still cautious."
Former Argentine soccer star Maradona was taken to hospital on Sunday in a serious, feverish condition with a swollen heart and breathing problems.
Doctors also said he had developed pneumonia.
The latest bulletin supports the optimism of Maradona's personal physician Dr. Alfredo Cahe who said earlier: "The critical stage is passing, Diego is very strong.
"I believe we could take him off the breathing apparatus in 72 hours."
Maradona's plight has moved the South American country, where his exploits on the field are legendary, particularly the 1986 World Cup when he almost single-handedly led an unremarkable team to the title.
The daily arrival of the medical bulletin has become a mid-day ritual in front of the hospital, with media scrambling desperately for copies handed out by two hospital workers and onlookers attempting to take copies as souvenirs.
Maradona's daughter Dalma said in a radio interview on Thursday morning that her father was improving.
"He's getting better every day," she said. "I'm happy that he's better every day."
Maradona's fans have kept a vigil outside the clinic since Sunday when the 43-year-old arrived in a feverish condition with breathing difficulties and a swollen heart. Doctors say he has also developed pneumonia.
The fans have lit candles and plastered the walls with messages of support.
Supporters of Boca Juniors, the club he has supported since he was a boy and where he played for one year before moving to Barcelona, chanted Maradona's name throughout Wednesday's Libertadores Cup match against Bolivar.
The Boca team unfurled a banner with a message of support before kickoff.
