Dilip Kumar battles kidney failure

Docs say he’s stable, but there’s no improvement in health

Mumbai: Veteran actor Dilip Kumar (94) is battling likely kidney failure, as his kidneys are functioning at a “very low level”. Doctors from Lilavati Hospital, where he has been admitted, said there has been no improvement in his health yet but he is recuperating in the Intensive Care Unit.

Veteran actor Dilip Kumar (94) is battling likely kidney failure, as his kidneys are functioning at a “very low level.” Doctors from Lilavati Hospital, where the thespian has been admitted, said there has been no improvement in his health yet but he recuperating in the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

According to the doctors, the creatinine and potassium levels in Mr Kumar’s body have increased. Creatinine is a chemical waste product in the blood that passes through the kidneys to be filtered and eliminated in urine while potassium is an essential electrolyte. High potassium causes kidney ailment.

Mr Kumar was rushed to privately-run Lilavati Hospital on Wednesday. He was moved to the ICU on Thursday with kidneyrelated complications. “Functioning of his kidneys is still affected, there have been no improvements,” said Dr Jalil Parkar, under whose observation the actor has been kept.

A doctor at Lilavati Hospital said Mr Kumar’s kidneys are functioning at a “very low level” than normal.

The doctors also said Mr Kumar’s health condition is deteriorating due to the rise in his creatinine and potassium levels. “The haemoglobin level has decreased. We may start with dialysis to stabilise his health condition since his creatinine and potassium both are on the rise in his body. His creatinine level has gone up, leading to urinary complications. But he is stable,” added Dr Parkar.

Mr Kumar has made several visits to hospitals in recent years.

In April last year, he was hospitalised with fever and nausea.

In December 2016, he was admitted to Lilavati Hospital to treat a swelling in his right leg.