JOHANNESBURG, March 28 (Xinhua) -- Former South African president Nelson Mandela was responding to medical treatment for a recorrence of a lung infection, the Presidency said.
"The doctors advise that former President Nelson Mandela is responding positively to the treatment he is undergoing for a recurring lung infection. He remains under treatment and observation in hospital," Presidential spokesman Mac Maharaj said in a statement.
"The Presidency thanks the media and the public for their cooperation in respecting the privacy of Madiba and his family," Maharaj said.
Mandela was admitted to hospital Wednesday night.
The Presidency said earlier that "doctors are attending to him, ensuring that he has the best possible expert medical treatment and comfort."
President Jacob Zuma wished Mandela a speedy recovery. "We appeal to the people of South Africa and the world to pray for our beloved Madiba and his family and to keep them in their thoughts. We have full confidence in the medical team and know that they will do everything possible to ensure recovery," Maharaj quoted Zuma as saying.
On March 9, Mandela was admitted to a hospital in Pretoria for a scheduled medical check-up to manage existing conditions in line with his age. He was discharged one day later. The Presidency said at that time that Mandela "is well as before" and his health remains under the management of the medical team.
On Dec. 8, he was taken into a Pretoria hospital for a lung infection and gallstones. He underwent a successful surgery to have the gallstones removed after doctors attended to his lung infection.
He was discharged from hospital on Dec. 26 to undergo home- based high care at his Houghton home. This was Mandela's longest hospital stay since 2001 when he underwent seven weeks of radiotherapy after being diagnosed with prostate cancer.
Mandela served as South African president from 1994 to 1999. He had spent 27 years in prison before elected the first black president in the country after the end of apartheid.
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