Cartoonist RK Laxman critically ill

Laxman was brought to Deenanath Hospital at 9 pm on Saturday after he became unconscious.

Ninety-four year-old R K Laxman, a cartoonist best known for his creation of ‘The Common Man’ cartoons, was admitted to Deenanath Mangeshkar hospital on Saturday night and is in critical condition. According to Dr Sameer Jog, in charge of the intensive care unit of the hospital, his condition is serious.

Laxman was brought to Deenanath Hospital at 9 pm on Saturday after he became unconscious. He was suffering from a urinary tract infection and due to septic encephalopathy, was extremely drowsy, Jog explained.

He has been bedridden for some time and was unable to speak after a stroke left him paralysed, Jog said. In September 2003, Laxman was affected by a stroke that paralysed his left side. According to doctors, he also had diabetes and blood pressure-related problems.

“Laxman is currently on ventilation, dialysis and being managed by supporting drugs to stabilise the blood pressure,” Jog said, adding that he also had multi-organ failure.