Cairo, Asharq Al-Awsat – Medical sources at Maadi Armed Forces Hospital, where former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak is currently being treated, informed Asharq Al-Awsat that his health is “deteriorating” adding “he is falling in and out of consciousness. He is also suffering from a cracked pelvis and suspected rib fractures, in addition to ear problems that have affected his ability to hear to a large extent resulting in him using a hearing-aid.”

The medical source, who spoke to Asharq Al-Awsat on the condition of anonymity, revealed that “Mubarak cannot move around in a normal manner and he is utilizing a wheelchair or confined to bed.” He added that since his arrival at the hospital last week, the former president has undergone treatment in the intensive care room since.

The medical source said “Mubarak may be living his final days, and his return to the medical wing of Tora prison at this time is impossible.”

The medical source also revealed that since his arrival at the hospital last Thursday, Mubarak has been visited by numerous family members, including his wife. He said “when Mubarak regained consciousness he asked to see his grandchildren….and this happened yesterday.”

For its part, Egyptian State TV on Sunday reported that “President Mubarak is passing through difficult times and is struggling with death at Maadi Armed Forces Hospital.”

Security has been tightened at the hospital following Mubarak’s transfer last Thursday, with Egypt’s Central Security Forces and Military Police posting guards at entrances and exits.

A court sentenced the former president to life imprisonment in June for failing to prevent the killing of protesters during the 18-day revolt that ended his 30 year rule. Some 850 people died in the uprising.

Egypt’s Prosecutor-General, Talaat Ibrahim, approved the transfer of former President Mubarak to Maadi Military hospital for medical treatment after a special medical committee issued a report confirming that he was suffering from a number of medical issues requiring immediate treatment after suffering a fall at Tora prison. Egypt’s official news agency MENA reported that x-rays showed that Mubarak had fractured several ribs in the fall and that he also had a build-up of fluid in his lungs.

For his part, Mubarak lawyer Farid al-Deeb stressed that the former president is expected to remain in hospital for at least the next two weeks. He told Reuters “he underwent x-rays on his body and now he will get proper treatment in the hospital for all the bone problems he has been suffering from.”