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Madiba 'is looking much better'

Mandela to stay in hospital, as his doctors say he needs extraordinary care, but there is “no crisis”

Nelson Mandela, South Africa’s 94-year-old former president, is “looking much better” after being treated for a lung infection and gallstones, but will remain in hospital for the time being, the government says.

Madiba was admitted to a Pretoria hospital on Dec. 8 after being flown from his home village of Qunu. He was treated initially for a recurrent lung infection and then had a successful procedure to have gallstones removed.

Presidency spokesman Mac Maharaj said he had visited Mandela on Tuesday. “He is looking much better,” he said in a statement, adding that the Nobel Peace laureate had spoken to him.

Doctors were satisfied with his progress, Maharaj said.

“They say there is no crisis, but add that they are in no hurry to send him home just yet.”

Maharaj said that, given his advanced age, Mandela needed "extraordinary care".

“If he spends more days in hospital, it is because that necessary care is being provided,” he added.

He said Mandela would remain in hospital until doctors were “satisfied that he has made sufficient progress”.

Reporting their conversation, Maharaj said Mandela asked him: “’Mac, what are you doing here?”

“I asked him not to give doctors any trouble,” he added.

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, although he has continued to receive high-profile domestic and international visitors, including former US president Bill Clinton in July.

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