India's Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj said Wednesday that she is being treated for kidney failure and undergoing tests for a possible transplant.

Swaraj, one of India's best-known female politicians and a veteran leader of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), tweeted that she was undergoing dialysis at a private hospital in New Delhi.

“I am in All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) because of kidney failure. Presently, I am on dialysis,” the 64-year-old tweeted from her verified account, which has over 6.5 million followers. “I am undergoing tests for kidney transplant.”

The Press Trust of India news agency said Swaraj, who suffers from chronic diabetes, had been admitted to AIIMS on November 7.

Millions of Indians suffer from kidney disease, mostly because of high rates of diabetes.

But the country has low rates of organ donation and a chronic shortage of organs available for transplant has fuelled a black market.

Opinion

Editorial

Kurram atrocity
Updated 22 Nov, 2024

Kurram atrocity

It would be a monumental mistake for the state to continue ignoring the violence in Kurram.
Persistent grip
22 Nov, 2024

Persistent grip

An audit of polio funds at federal and provincial levels is sorely needed, with obstacles hindering eradication efforts targeted.
Green transport
22 Nov, 2024

Green transport

THE government has taken a commendable step by announcing a New Energy Vehicle policy aiming to ensure that by 2030,...
Military option
Updated 21 Nov, 2024

Military option

While restoring peace is essential, addressing Balochistan’s socioeconomic deprivation is equally important.
HIV/AIDS disaster
21 Nov, 2024

HIV/AIDS disaster

A TORTUROUS sense of déjà vu is attached to the latest health fiasco at Multan’s Nishtar Hospital. The largest...
Dubious pardon
21 Nov, 2024

Dubious pardon

IT is disturbing how a crime as grave as custodial death has culminated in an out-of-court ‘settlement’. The...