MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Kirchner recovering but must remain in hospital.

Argentine president Nestor Kirchner who since last Friday remains in Rio Gallegos Hospital after suffering a gastric injury, continues “to improve satisfactorily” with all his “vital parameters completely normalized”, indicated this Sunday his personal doctor, Luis Buonomo.

"The news is that there's no news; no news, good news" said Dr. Buonomo adding that "the last blood tests show that the number of red cells of the President are picking up by themselves; all kidney and cardiovascular are functioning as expected".

However Dr. Buonomo pointed out that patients with this type of injuries need between seven and ten days to recover and President Kirchner is in his "fourth day of hospital".

President Kirchner was hospitalized last Thursday evening in the local hospital of El Calafate after suffering what was described as a "secondary erosive gastro-duodenitis", (bleeding duodenal ulcer).

"If the patient responds to medical treatment, 80% of these pathologies are self-eliminated, but in 20% cases there can be complications", explained Dr. Buonomo.

One of the most usual complications is that there could be a "second bleeding" in seven to ten days, if the patient is allowed to leave hospital with anticipation.

Although President Kirchner is permanently in contact with his cabinet, the meeting with Bolivian president Carlos Mesa scheduled for next Tuesday in the common border La Quiaca-Villazon has been postponed.

"It's possible that the meeting in the international bridge "Horacio Guzmán" could take place next April 21, but still has to be confirmed", said Argentine diplomatic sources.