Wangchuk's condition stable, but refuses treatment: Safdarjung Hospital

Social activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on a hunger strike for 20 days, was taken to Safdarjung Hospital by Delhi Police on Saturday morning, where doctors found signs of dehydration and low potassium levels in his body. He has refused to take fluids, ORS, and other medications through IV.

According to a health bulletin issued by the hospital, Wangchuk was admitted to Vardhman Mahavir Medical College (VMMC) and Safdarjung Hospital at 7:40 am. At the time of admission, he was fully conscious, and his pulse, blood pressure, and oxygen level were found to be normal. No case of unconsciousness was reported.

The bulletin stated that the examination revealed signs of dehydration in the body. Blood gas analysis showed "compensated acidosis" and low serum potassium levels. The blood sugar level was recorded at 78 milligrams per deciliter. A repeat test also showed low potassium levels. The hospital said that at the time of admission, the ketone level in the urine was one, which increased to three by 1 pm.

Doctors advised administering fluids through IV, but he refused to take IV fluids, ORS, and all other medications. According to the hospital, his health condition is being closely monitored, and he is being continuously counseled to accept treatment in view of his health.

Meanwhile, Sonam Wangchuk's wife, Gitanjali Angmo, said that nothing should be forced upon her husband without his consent. She wrote on social media platform X, "I am at Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi, where Sonam Wangchuk has been admitted. Without the consent of me, his family, and the doctors who have been monitoring him for 20 days, he should not be given any medicine or thing orally or through IV."

It is worth noting that Delhi Police removed social activist and education expert Sonam Wangchuk, who was on a hunger strike, from Jantar Mantar on Saturday morning and admitted him to Safdarjung Hospital. He was on a hunger strike demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Today was the 21st day of Mr. Wangchuk's hunger strike, and he had lost more than 9 kilograms in weight. Leaders of various political parties and social organizations visited Jantar Mantar to express their support for him.

Mr. Wangchuk and the Janta Party (CJP) had announced a march to Parliament on July 20 in support of their demands before the monsoon session of Parliament and had appealed to people to join in large numbers.