Post date: Dec 15, 2012 2:35:14 PM
South Africa's former president Nelson Mandela recovering after having gall stones removed.
PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA ( DECEMBER 15, 2012) (REUTERS) - Former South African President Nelson Mandela, who has been in hospital for a week, has successfully undergone a procedure to have gall stones removed, the government said on Saturday (December 15, 2012).
"The former president underwent a procedure via endoscopy to have the gall stones removed. The procedure was successful and Madiba is recovering," the government statement said.South Africa's president Nelson Mandela spent an 8th day in hospital on Saturday with growing confusion surrounding his exact whereabouts after local media speculated he is not being treated at 1 Military hospital in Pretoria.
Mandela spent time in a Johannesburg hospital in 2011 with a respiratory condition, and again in February this year because of abdominal pains. He was released the following day after a keyhole examination showed there was nothing serious.
He has since spent most of his time in Qunu.
His fragile health prevents him from making any public appearances in South Africa, although he has continued to receive high-profile domestic and international visitors, including former U.S. President Bill Clinton in July.