Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi talks to litterateur Homen Borgohain at the ICU of Guwahati Neurological Research Centre in Guwahati on Friday. Picture by UB Photos

Guwahati, Oct. 24: Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi today said his government would pick up the tab for the medical treatment of former Asam Sahitya Sabha president and writer-journalist Homen Borgohain, who was admitted to the intensive care unit of the Guwahati Neurological Research Centre (GNRC) last night.

Gogoi visited the GNRC to enquire about Borgohain’s condition and asked the hospital authorities to inform him if the services of any medical specialist based elsewhere were required during the course of his treatment.

He said the government would make arrangements to shift the celebrated writer to any hospital outside the state, should his condition warrant it.

A health bulletin issued by the GNRC this evening stated that Borgohain’s condition had not deteriorated, but his neurological status would require further intensive observation and monitoring. The heart, lungs and kidneys are functioning satisfactorily, it said.

Doctors attending on the writer informed the chief minister that he had been responding better to treatment since mid-day, but was being intermittently put on oxygen to ease his discomfort while breathing.

The Sahitya Akademi award-winner was rushed to the hospital after his domestic help found him unconscious at his Hengerabari residence here last night. He was admitted to the GNRC at 9pm and put on intensive care immediately.

Speaker Prithibi Majhi and public works department minister Sarat Barkatoki were among those who called on the writer at the hospital.

Borgohain won the Sahitya Akademi award in 1978, the Magor award in 1992, the Assam Publication Board award in 1977, the Asam Sahitya Sabha award for best novel during the decade 1981-91 and numerous citations. Several of Borgohain’s novels have been translated into various Indian languages.

Two of his more famous novels, Halodhiya Soraiye Baodhan Khai and Matsyagandha, were scripted into national award-winning films.