Anna Hazare's fast: Team Anna ready to tackle health emergency

Team Anna is not taking any chances with 74-year-old Anna Hazare's health as he prepares to launch a three-day hunger strike here for a strong Lokpal Tuesday.

His medical coordinators have held detailed discussions with doctors at the Asian Heart Institute (AHI) in Bandra-Kurla Complex which is a stone's throw away from the strike venue -- the sprawling MMRDA ground -- in the past couple of days, an official from the hospital said.

Ratna Magotra, Hazare's medical coordinator for Mumbai, called on senior doctors at the AHI who have agreed to provide help during any medical emergency involving Hazare.

A full-equipped ambulance would remain on stand-by at the venue and the hospital would be prepared to assist with any emergency treatment if the activist needs it, the official said.

However, Hazare has made it clear that he would not avail any medical treatment during his hunger strike - unless absolutely necessary.

He arrived here late Monday evening. He will Tuesday lead a rally from the Juhu beach to the MMRDA ground where he will sit on the hunger strike.

Hazare has been complaining of cough and fever for the past few days, which prompted him to change the strike venue from Delhi to Mumbai, in view of the chilling cold in the national capital.

However, in the past couple of days, Mumbai has been experiencing unusually low temperatures with the minimum dipping to 12 degrees Celsius, and the weather office forecasting similar temperatures for the next two-three days.

The Indian parliament is also set for a debate on the contentious Lokpal bill starting Tuesday.