Date:10/11/2002 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2002/11/10/stories/2002111005250101.htm

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Maran to be flown to U.S.

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI NOV. 9. The Union Commerce and Industry Minister, Murasoli Maran, is to be flown to the United States for further treatment at a Houston hospital.

The decision follows discussions the DMK president, M. Karunanidhi, had with the doctors at the Apollo Hospitals first and then with the Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee. Mr. Maran may be flown to Houston in a day or two, according to a party press release.

Mr. Maran was admitted to the Apollo Hospitals on September 23 following high fever and chest pain. Doctors attending on him said that this was due to a fungal infection in the artificial heart-valve that was fixed at the AIIMS, Delhi. Cardio-thoracic surgeons have replaced the artificial valve and have been fighting ever since to control the infection, caused by the fungus, candida.