Czech President Miloš Zeman hospitalized with broken arm

Prague, Aug 26 (CTK) – Czech President Miloš Zeman underwent surgery for a broken right arm last night and the surgery went as expected, his spokesman Jiří Ovčáček has told CTK, adding that Zeman is staying in post-operation care now.

Zeman, 75, was operated on under general anesthesia at the Central Military Hospital (UVN) in Prague.

Ovčáček said last night that Zeman tumbled and broke his arm after deciding to walk without his cane and without his security guards’ support.

Zeman has long suffered from neuropathy in both legs, due to which he had to wall with a cane.

However, after deciding to walk without it when watching the evening news, he tumbled and broke his arm, Ovčáček said.

“He (Zeman) refused to use his cane or the aid offered by his security guards. He said he could manage to walk a short distance on his own, which he should not have done,” Ovčáček stated describing the the cause of the president’s injury to CTK.

“This is not an injury that would be in any way life-threatening,” Ovčáček said, adding that it is not clear how long Zeman will have to stay in the hospital.

On Tuesday night, Ovčáček said the president was in contact with his family and aides, and his program would be adapted to his recovery process.

Zeman spent several days in the UVN hospital last October for a regeneration stay. He was treated for a nutrition disorder causing impaired muscle functions, mainly in his legs, the hospital said at the time.

Medical files released at the time stated that along with neuropathy, Zeman also suffers from type 2 diabetes.