Archbishop Desmond Tutu readmitted to hospital

South African rights campaigner back in Cape Town hospital to treat infection unrelated to his prostate cancer treatment, his foundation says

South African archbishop emeritus Desmond Tutu has been hospitalised with a persistent infection just a week after being discharged following treatment for the same ailment, his foundation has said.

“Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu has been readmitted to a hospital in Cape Town … He was discharged from hospital last Tuesday, and readmitted this afternoon after expressing renewed discomfort.

His doctors considered it prudent for him to return to hospital for observation,” according to a statement from theDesmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation.

Tutu was first hospitalised by the infection on 14 July. The 83-year-old Nobel peace laureate also continues to battle prostate cancer, first diagnosed 15 years ago, but his foundation said the current infection was unrelated.

“[Tutu’s] daughter, the Rev Mpho Tutu, said the hospitalisation was unrelated to his cancer treatment. His oncologist confirms that his PSA (prostrate-specific antigen) level is pleasingly low,” the statement said.

The foundation said the veteran rights campaigner would undergo bed rest while his doctors determine further treatment, and remain in the hospital at least for the weekend.

Tutu survived an illness believed to be polio as a baby, and battled tuberculosis as a teenager. He has been in and out of hospital for minor complaints since 2011.

Under apartheid, Tutu campaigned against white minority rule during the years that Nelson Mandela was imprisoned, and was awarded the 1984 Nobel peace prize for his work.

Officially retired, he is still outspoken on the world’s injustices, and is widely viewed as South Africa’s moral compass.

Source: Theguardian.com

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