Oli was flown to Bumrungrad International Hospital, Bangkok by an air-ambulance at around 5 pm, accompanied by two of his aides and Dr Dibya Singh, senior nephrologist at the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital (TUTH).

He was diagnosed with a potentially fatal Cryptococcal meningitis, a fungal infection affecting the tissues covering the brain and spinal cord. He had been admitted to TUTH following high fever and vomiting on Sunday night, two weeks after his return from treatment in New Delhi.  Doctors say organ transplant patients are more susceptible to the fungal infection. TUTH in a statement on Wednesday said although his health condition is stable, there is a fear of possible infection given the number of well-wishers and visitors at the hospital. A source at TUTH said many high-level party leaders urged the hospital administration to take him abroad as more people lined up to meet Oli there.

A doctor involved in his treatment said the anti-fungal drugs that Oli had been taking raised the level of toxicity. He was taking immunosuppressive drugs, a medicine that needs to be consumed lifelong in organ transplant patient. “The complication of fungal meningitis rose since the anti-fungal drug was withdrawn,” said the doctor.

Dr Singh expects the early diagnosis of his ailment at TUTH will prove helpful for further treatment. “We had to take him by air-ambulance. We cannot risk him taking on a common flight as there is high chance of developing infection,” said Dr Singh.

Govt to fund Rs 4 million

The government has provided a guarantee letter worth Rs 4 million for UML leader’s treatment. Foreign Minister Mahendra Bahadur Pandey told the Post that the government on Wedensday forwarded a necessary document to the hospital through Nepali mission in Bangkok for his treatment. “Prime Minister asked us to adopt all possible measures for his successful treatment,” said Minister Pandey.

Pandey said medical expenses of Oli will be cleared once he is discharged from the hospital. PM Koirala and ministers had earlier gone to TUTH to inquire about Oli’s condition.