PETALING JAYA: Doctors have advised against surgery for Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s fractured hip, citing his advanced age, says his son Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir.
Mukhriz said the former prime minister, who turned 100 last year, sustained the injury after falling during his routine morning exercise on the balcony of his home.
In a video posted yesterday, Mukhriz provided an update on Dr Mahathir’s condition following his admission to the National Heart Institute (IJN) on Tuesday.
“The report from IJN is that he has fractured his hip and will likely need to be warded for two to three weeks. Given his age, surgery is not considered a wise option.”
“I would like to thank everyone, including those we do not personally know, who have sent messages and well wishes to our family. We ask that Dr Mahathir be given the space to rest and recover as quickly as possible,” said Mukhriz, who was speaking from the Pejuang office in Kuala Lumpur.
Earlier, Dr Mahathir’s daughter Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir described the fracture as “serious but not dangerous”, noting that health assessments at his age must be viewed in relative terms.
“For his age, everything is relative ... he’s fine,” Marina said on Tuesday.
Dr Mahathir was admitted to IJN at about 9.30am on Tuesday after falling at his residence.
His press secretary, Sufi Yusoff, later informed the media via WhatsApp that the two-time prime minister was taken to the institute by ambulance and remained conscious.
Dr Mahathir’s most recent visit was on July 13 last year, after he experienced fatigue while attending a picnic and potluck in Putrajaya held to mark his 100th birthday and the 99th birthday of his wife, Tun Dr Hasmah Ali.
During the event, Dr Mahathir had taken part in activities including cycling before experiencing breathing difficulties and being brought to IJN for observation. He was discharged on the same day.
Over the years, Dr Mahathir has undergone at least two major heart surgeries, including a quadruple bypass in 2007.
