Somalia - President Yusuf Health Update #2

C O N F I D E N T I A L NAIROBI 004656 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR AF/E ADDAS ABABA FOR AF A/S FRAZER AND SE YATES E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/5/2017 TAGS: PGOV PREL SO SUBJECT: Somalia - President Yusuf Health Update #2 REF: Nairobi 4648 Classified by PolOff Mitch Benedict for reason 1.4 (b,d) ¶1. (C) As per Reftel Somalia Transitional Federal Government (TFG) President Abdullahi Yusuf is quite ill and was flown to Nairobi from Baidoa early on the morning of December 4. Post's Regional Medical Officer (RMO) has consulted with Yusuf's attending physician at Nairobi hospital and was informed that Yusuf is in mild congestive heart failure secondary to the added stress from pneumonia and a valvular abnormality. Age combined with long term use of an immunosuppressive agent due to his liver transplant has predisposed Yusuf to pneumonia. ¶2. (C) The initial assessment by Yusuf's doctor is that his condition will improve with the right medications. He does not anticipate that Yusuf can travel to London, where he hopes to see his hepatologist, until December 7 at the earliest. Post spoke with Yusuf's son who indicated that his father's health has improved and that Yusuf will not travel until he gets a green light from his doctor. We will continue to monitor closely the President's health and travel plans and will keep relevant posts and AF/E informed. RANNEBERGER