Rajesh Keshav shows signs of improvement; weaned off the ventilator

Actor and popular television anchor Rajesh Keshav, who suffered a cardiac arrest on August 24 in a Kochi hotel, has been weaned off ventilator support, according to an official statement from the hospital treating him.

The 47-year-old media personality had been admitted to the intensive care unit following a medical emergency, which occurred shortly after he attended a film programme in the city.A multidisciplinary medical board overseeing Rajesh's treatment confirmed that he is now breathing on his own, and his blood pressure remains stable. Over the past 48 hours, doctors have noted minor but sustained responses to painful stimuli, indicating a slow but positive neurological response."Rajesh Keshav has shown encouraging signs of progress," read the hospital’s statement. "He is currently under the vigilant care of our cardiology, critical care, neurology, gastroenterology, and ophthalmology teams. We are cautiously optimistic but continue to monitor his condition closely."Earlier this week, Rajesh underwent a tracheostomy, a surgical procedure in which an opening is made in the neck into the windpipe (trachea).

This was done to facilitate a long-term airway and support his breathing without the need for invasive ventilator support.Rajesh Keshav collapsed at a hotel in Kochi on the evening of August 24, shortly after participating in a movie programme. Emergency responders were called to the scene and managed to resuscitate him before transporting him to a nearby hospital, where he was admitted to the ICU. Initial reports indicated that he had suffered a cardiac arrest with a moderate hypoxic brain injury due to delayed oxygen supply.Since then, he has remained under intensive medical care. The hospital had placed him on mechanical ventilation to support his breathing while a team of specialists worked around the clock to stabilize his condition.Rajesh Keshav, a familiar face in Malayalam television and cinema, enjoys a wide fan base. News of his sudden health crisis had sparked an outpouring of concern and well wishes from colleagues in the entertainment industry, as well as from fans across the state.