DHAKA: Bengali screen goddess Suchitra Sen`s condition deteriorated Saturday afternoon, prompting medics to rush emergency measures that stabilised her, a doctor said.

 By the evening, the 82-year-old actress - under treatment at the Intensive Therapy Unit (ITU) of a nursing home here - was responding to non-intensive ventilation and other therapies, with her oxygen level going up, reports the firstpost.com.

Sen`s oxygen saturation level had dipped in the afternoon, necessitating intensive non-invasive oxygen support and endotracheal intubation.

She has responded to the therapies and is now stable," said Subrata Maitra, one of the team of experts monitoring her at the Belle Vue Clinic.

Sen`s see-sawing health status had fans speculating about her being put on life support. However, the doctors scotched rumours. She remains critical.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee visited the ailing legend for the third successive day Saturday. A group of monks from the Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission - of which Sen is a disciple - headquarters Belur Math blessed the actresss Saturday for her speedy recovery.

A two-member team of opposition Communist Party of India-Marxist led by Rabin Deb also went to the nursing home and enquired about Sen`s condition from the doctors. Banerjee said: "The whole world is waiting to hear updates on her health.

The time is very crucial for her family and we must refrain from using words that could spur apprehensions about her health. We wish her a speedy recovery." Her blood tests are satisfactory and her vital organs are fine, said a doctor. However, her doctors ruled out any invasive ventilation (via tracheotomy) therapy for now.

"She is weak and needs oxygen support. She does not need life support," said Abhirup Chakraborty, another doctor from the team. Sen is on an oral prescribed diet which is being supplemented with peripheral nutrition through intravenous channel to fulfil her dietary requirements, the medical bulletin said.

BDST: 1224 HRS, JAN 12, 2014
RS