CEBU Archbishop Emeritus Ricardo Cardinal Vidal’s health has seen improvement after he underwent dialysis treatment, as recommended by his nephrologist.
“He (Vidal) had very slight improvement after the dialysis,” said Bullecer in a text message to Cebu Daily News.
Dr. Rene Josef Bullecer, one of the cardinal’s physicians, said that Vidal’s kidney problem is compromising his health, side by side with bacteremia (blood bacterial infection).
Although the initial health issue of the cardinal was his heart problem and pneumonia complications, Bullecer said that the update from Vidal’s cardiologist suggested that his heart and lungs have been free from any complications subsequent to the dialysis.
“Dialysis sessions can be temporary or lifetime. It all depends on the primary cause and the degree of the damage,” Bullecer said.
“The cardinal is still under optimum watch and close monitoring by his battery of dedicated doctors: his lady cardiologist, neurologist and nephrologist,” Bullecer added.
Vidal is still in semi-comatose state inside the intensive care unit (ICU) of a private hospital in Cebu City.
“He opens and closes his eyes spontaneously, but doesn’t reply to any voice command or hand grip,” said Bullecer.
The cardinal, however, has started to respond to specific body reflexes like response to light or shows minor reaction to pain, said Bullecer.
“Cardinal Vidal needs more prayers as we know that all healing comes from God alone,” said Bullecer.
Vidal was rushed to Perpetual Succour Hospital by his nurse due to high fever from his retirement house in Sto. Niño Village in Banilad on Wednesday.
At 86, Vidal is one of the four living cardinals in the country with Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, Cotabato Archbishop Orlando Cardinal Quevedo and Manila Archbishop Emeritus Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales.
Vidal served as Cebu’s archbishop for 29 years prior to his retirement in 2011 where he was succeeded by now Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma.