Story By: Alex Cope, Sub Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Central European News
The British pilot who was critically ill in Vietnam has now woken from a coma and can carry out “basic communication” after beating the virus.
Doctors at the Cho Ray Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City in southern Vietnam have confirmed that the Vietnam Airlines pilot, 43, known as ‘Patient 91’, is now able to make basic communication.
A letter of thanks to the Vietnamese health authorities from the British Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City, Ian Gibbons, appears to name the pilot as ‘Mr Stephen Cameron’, as can be seen in the images.
The news of the pilot having woken from the coma was released on Wednesday evening, with Tran Thanh Linh, the deputy head of the hospital saying that he was able to communicate after his doses of muscle relaxants and sedatives had been reduced.
The patient has reportedly been taken off dialysis but remains on a life support machine.
Local media report the pilot can move his fingers and toes but still has problems breathing.
The news comes after the British man was declared free of COVID-19 on 21st May.
His lung function had reportedly increased to between 20 and 30 percent as compared to the 10 percent he suffered whilst being treated at the Hospital for Tropical Diseases in Ho Chi Minh City.
Local media report he is still awaiting a lung transplant which will be carried out when his condition improves.
Linh the Cho Ray Hospital will hold consultations with the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Control and Prevention to discuss weaning the British patient off extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) or stop the treatment altogether.
In his letter of thanks addressed to Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Chairman Nguyen Thanh Phong, Consul General Gibbons expressed his gratitude to the Hospital of Tropical Diseases and Cho Ray Hospital for their “excellent care” of Cameron.
He wrote: “They have worked tirelessly and spared no efforts in helping him during the time he has been critically ill in hospital. We have been in very close touch with all the relevant authorities throughout the time Mr Cameron has been so unwell.
“We are in regular contact with his family and close friends. We could not have asked for better treatment. Once again, my sincere and personal thanks to all involved in his care.”
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