Sathya Sai Baba's condition stable

Puttaparthi, Apr 6 (ANI): Doctors attending to Indian guru, spiritual figure and educator Sathya Sai Baba on Wednesday said his condition was improving but he continues to be on ventilator support.

"Sri Sathya Sai Baba, who has entered his 10th day of treatment at this hospital, is in a stable state of health as he was yesterday. There are signs of improvement in the functioning of his kidneys although he is still on dialysis," said a health bulletin issued by A.N. Safaya, Director of Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences.

Earlier, a health bulletin issued by the hospital said that his condition had deteriorated and he is now on a ventilator and receiving kidney dialysis.

"The vital systems are not adequately responding. The condition of Baba is critical. The panel of doctors treating him are doing their best to make the systems respond," hospital director AN Safaya said in a statement.

With thousands of devotees converging at his headquarters in Puttaparthi, the state police has issued prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, which prevents unlawful assembly.

85-year-old Sai Baba was admitted to the super-speciality hospital on March 28.

The Sai Baba is estimated to have millions of followers around the world. His distinctive orange robes and hairstyle have made him one of the most recognisable of India's spiritual gurus.

He professes to be the reincarnation of a Hindu godman-a human being who declares himself divine - from the 19th century.

Sai Baba counts former Indian prime ministers, prominent businessmen and India's cricketers among his followers. (ANI)