Surgeon: Edgar Savisaar will return to politics
Peep Talving, the surgeon responsible for operating the Center Party leader Edgar Savisaar at the Tartu University Clinic, told ERR that Savisaar's condition will improve substantially enough for a return to work.
Talving, a highly respected doctor and surgeon who has spent a large part of his career working abroad, was optimistic about Savisaar's health and confirmed that his health indicators have improved against all expectations immensely in last ten days.
“I believe that the Mayor of Tallinn will re-enter the politics,” Talving said, confirming that Savisaar's life is not under threat anymore.
Former prime minister Savisaar was taken to the Clinic two weeks ago when he fell critically ill. It was later disclosed that Savisaar was suffering from an acute infection, caused by a streptococcus bacteria, which resulted in a toxic syndrome and blood poisoning. The doctors also revealed that due to an aggressive infection, and to save his life, they had to amputate one of Savisaar's legs above the knee during the operation.
Talving said that the mortality rate from a streptococcus bacteria is usually very high, but the quality of care in the Tartu University Clinic is very good.
“All the nurses, anesthesiologists and surgeons have done the maximum they could do in looking after Savisaar. But I would like to point out that they would take care of other patients in the same way – it is just not reflected in the media,” Talving said.
If Savisaar recovers and decides to return into politics, he needs to choose whether to carry on as Mayor of Tallinn or take up his seat at the Estonian Parliament. In the last election on March 1, he was elected to the Parliament with a record number of over 25,000 votes.
The Center Party's board decided on Monday that Kadri Simson will head the party until Savisaar has recovered from serious health problems. The Center Party won 27 seats in the new Parliament.
Editor: S. Tambur