国际英语新闻:Mandela continues to receive treatment in hospital

JOHANNESBURG, March 31 (Xinhua) -- Former South African President Nelson Mandela continued to receive treatment in hospital four days after re-admission, the Presidency said.

"he Presidency has been advised by the doctors that former President Nelson Mandela had a restful day and continues to receive treatment," presidential spokesman Mac Maharaj said in a statement.

"Government is satisfied that the doctors are providing the former president with the best medical care possible to enable his recovery and comfort. They have reported a further improvement in his condition."

President Jacob Zuma thanked the thousands of South Africans who prayed for Maddela at various Easter church services during the weekend, Maharaj said. "We also thank all people at home and around the world, who continue to keep Madela and his family in their thoughts and to show their love and support in various ways. We also thank foreign governments for their messages of support."

Mandela, 94, was re-admitted to hospital on March 28 due to the recurrence of his lung infection.

This was the second time that Mandela was hospitalized in one month. On March 9, Mandela was admitted to a hospital in Pretoria for a scheduled medical check-up to manage existing conditions in line with his age. He was discharged one day later.

Mandela served as South African president from 1994 to 1999. He had spent 27 years in prison before elected the first black president in the country after the end of apartheid.

Mandela's failing health has been the focus of attention in the past recent years.

On Dec. 8, he was taken into a Pretoria hospital for a lung infection and gallstones. He underwent a successful surgery to have the gallstones removed after doctors attended to his lung infection.

He was discharged from hospital on Dec. 26 to undergo home- based high care at his Houghton home. This was Mandela's longest hospital stay since 2001 when he underwent seven weeks of radiotherapy after being diagnosed with prostate cancer.