Doctors say Dolphy shows significant improvement

MANILA, Philippines - King of Comedy Dolphy has shown significant improvement and is now more responsive, his doctors said yesterday.

Eric Nubla, head of the patient relations office of the Makati Medical Center, said the 83-year-old comedian also seemed ticklish, which he interpreted as a good sign.

“He has shown improvement, unlike before that he was not responsive,” Nubla said in Filipino.

He added that Dolphy’s family had observed that the comedian has become sensitive to pain.

“When you feel pain, it’s good. It means he is responding to stimulus,” he explained.

Nubla said Dolphy’s family is much relieved with the developments.

“He is now recovering. He is still critical but stable. It is one day at a time now,” he said. “He is also more awake now.”

Nubla said Dolphy did not undergo dialysis yesterday as his doctors gave him a break to rest. However, his blood transfusions would continue as his platelet count remained low.

Meanwhile, Nubla appealed to members of media to respect Dolphy’s privacy.

The hospital official issued the call after it was reported that a reporter managed to sneak inside the intensive care unit and tried to get a photo of the ailing comedian.

“The ICU is a restricted area. Even family members are restricted. The patients there need peace and we need to protect them from infection,” he said.

Dolphy was rushed to the MMC last June 9 for pneumonia. He was diagnosed to be suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.