Veteran culture expert and historian Satya Mohan Joshi, who has been undergoing treatment for prostate and heart-related ailments since September 23, has been shifted to the intensive care unit after his condition did not improve.

The 103-year-old is being treated at the Lalitpur-based Kist Teaching Hospital. Hospital sources say he is also suffering from urine infection and pneumonia and a recent blood test showed he also has dengue.

“In the initial days there was some improvement in his health but over the past 3-4 days his condition has deteriorated and he has difficulty speaking,” reads a press release signed by Dr Suraj Bajracharya, director of the hospital.

The hospital has been treating Joshi for free. Also it provides free treatment to Joshi’s wife and free nursing services to the Joshi family. Last year, the Joshi couple had signed an agreement with the hospital to donate their bodies to the hospital for research after their death.

Meanwhile, when the Post contacted his wife Radha, 97, on Monday, she said his condition has not improved and he has lost appetite.

As per the health bulletin published by the hospital, Joshi’s blood pressure is 110/70 and pulse is 110 beats per minute.

“There has not been any improvement in his health even though he has been transferred to the ICU on Sunday evening,” said his son Anu Raj Joshi, who has been taking care of his father at the hospital.

This, however, is not the first time Joshi has been hospitalised.

Earlier, on April 14, he was admitted to the hospital after he experienced chest pains and problems in urinating. He was discharged after staying in the hospital for four days.

And in mid-June he spent 10 days at the hospital.

“But this time his condition appears to be more complicated,” Anu Raj said. “We are praying for his recovery.”

Joshi’s youngest son, who is a medical doctor in the UK, is returning home on Tuesday after the family informed him about his father’s deteriorating health.