New Delhi, April 4: Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, who has kept himself away from all public engagements since the past ten days, is likely to undergo kidney transplant, a report said. Jaitley has currently been lodged at the Cardio-Neuro Tower of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS).

The nephrologist who would take charge of the kidney transplant is Dr Sandeep Guleria from Apollo Hospitals, who is the brother of AIIMS Director Randeep Guleria, The Wire reported.

Jaitley, who heads the Finance and Corporate Affairs portfolio, could be temporarily relieved of either or both of his charge as the medical treatment is expected to keep him away from public life for a significant period.

Jaitley had earlier undergone a bariatric surgery in September 2014, to reduce body weight as he suffers from chronic diabetes. Following the surgery, Jaitley had lost 17 kilos.

Doctors aware of Jaitley's health issues have reportedly conveyed that the top politician suffers from various complications which could not allow him to be kept on dialysis for a long period. This could be the major reason why the kidney transplant has been recommended.

Jaitley's Cabinet colleague Sushma Swaraj, who heads the External Affairs portfolio, had undergone a kidney transplant in December 2016. Unlike most politicians, Swaraj went public about her condition on Twitter.

Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar is also undergoing treatment in New York. Parrikar suffered from pancreatic cancer in February. After a month-long treatment at Mumbai's Lilavati Hospital, he was flown to the US last month.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 04, 2018 10:15 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).