Kolkata: The former West Bengal Chief Minister, Veteran CPI (M) leader Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee (76) was rushed Woodland Hospital in Kolkata this afternoon after he suffered severe breathing difficulties and his oxygen saturation fell to about 72.

He has tested negative for Covid-19 and is responding to treatment, hospital authorities said, but has been put on non-invasive ventilator support. His condition is critical and he has been put on mechanical ventilation, the latest medical bulletin at 6.32 pm by the hospital in Kolkata where he is admitted has said. “His HRCT Thorax shows features of old patches of pneumonia. His brain scan too shows old infract. His repeat ABG shows accumulation of carbon dioxide and low PH levels”, said doctors.

“Hence, decision was taken by clinical expert team to electively ventilate after proper consent of family members,” the bulletin said. An earlier medical bulletin around 5 pm had described his situation as critical and said he was on a BIPAP, which is a non-invasive ventilator support system. “He is on intravenous antibiotics, steroids and other supportive medications,” the latest bulletin said.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in her tweet concerned about Bhattacharjee’s health and then visited the hospital to meet his wife and daughter and offer full support. Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar too visited the Woodlands hospital to enquire about the former Chief Minister’s health.