Sonam Wangchuk's Health Update Amid Ongoing Hunger Strike

Health Condition of Activist Sonam Wangchuk

New Delhi, July 18: On Saturday, Safdarjung Hospital issued a new medical bulletin regarding the condition of activist Sonam Wangchuk, noting that he is experiencing dehydration, compensated acidosis, low potassium levels, a blood sugar reading of 78 mg/dl, and increasing urinary ketones. He continues to refuse both intravenous fluids and oral rehydration solutions.

The hospital reported that Wangchuk was alert upon his admission, with stable vital signs including pulse, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation.

Despite this, medical assessments revealed signs of dehydration, compensated acidosis, and low serum potassium levels, alongside a blood sugar level of 78 mg/dl. The urinary ketones, initially recorded at 1+ upon admission, escalated to 3+ later in the day.

The bulletin stated, "Upon admission, he was conscious with stable vital signs. Dehydration was evident. Blood gas analysis indicated compensated acidosis with low serum potassium and a blood sugar level of 78 mg/dl. A repeat serum potassium test showed similar results. Urinary ketones increased from 1+ at admission to 3+ by 1:00 p.m."

"Although intravenous fluids were recommended, the patient has declined all forms of intravenous fluids, oral rehydration solutions, or any medications," the hospital added. "He is under continuous observation and is being counseled for treatment to ensure his health is prioritized," it continued.

In the meantime, Nitin Dighe, a member of the medical team at Jantar Mantar, expressed concerns that the team monitoring Wangchuk prior to his hospitalization was not informed about the reasons for his transfer to Safdarjung Hospital.

Dighe stated, "When we found out that Sonam Wangchuk had been moved to the hospital, we were not made aware of the reasons. I have been overseeing his health for the last 20 days, and our medical team has been examining him. However, none of our doctors have been allowed to see him due to the presence of an official from the Ministry of Home Affairs. We were kept waiting and were not granted access to our patient."

He added, "His wife was permitted to visit him and informed us that his potassium levels were low. However, when we conducted tests yesterday around 3 p.m., his potassium levels were normal. We have not received the medical report. The hospital doctor has prescribed potassium, which I am bringing there. This medication could have been given at Jantar Mantar, so hospitalization was unnecessary. He is otherwise healthy and will walk to Parliament himself in two days."

Additionally, Wangchuk's wife, Gitanjali J. Angmo, sent a letter to the hospital requesting that discharge procedures be expedited so he can be transferred to a medical facility of the family's choosing, citing a "lack of transparency" in his treatment.

Wangchuk, who has been on a hunger strike for 21 days at Jantar Mantar in Delhi, was taken to the hospital early Saturday after his health declined. This action was taken following directives from the Delhi High Court and medical advice.

Police arrived at the protest site in the morning to escort Wangchuk to the hospital, amidst chants and demonstrations from CJP activists and the public present.

The CJP has been protesting at Jantar Mantar since June 6, demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET paper leak incident. Activist Sonam Wangchuk officially began an indefinite hunger strike at the protest site on June 28.