On Saturday, the king had a temporary pacemaker inserted at the Sultanah Maliha hospital in Langkawi, Malaysia.
This is stated by the royal house in a press release.
– The pacemaker was implanted because of a low heart rate. The decision was made this morning, and the operation was successful. According to the conditions, the king is doing well, but still needs rest. The operation will make the journey home safer, says the king’s physician Bjørn Bendz.
Sultanah Maliha Hospital where King Harald is admitted. Security guards stand outside on Thursday.
Foto: Vincent Thian / AP
– Receives good treatment
Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre tells NRK that he has spoken to the crown prince today.
Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre says that the government is in constant contact with the Palace.
Photo: Amanda Iversen Orlich / NRK
– What does the crown prince say?
– He shares what we now all know, that the king had a pacemaker installed earlier today, and it was the obstetrician who saw it as necessary. It was also important to facilitate the journey home. In addition to that, there was good feedback that he is receiving good treatment, Støre replies.
Stimulates the heart to beat
– A temporary pacemaker is a pacemaker lead that is inserted via a vein, usually in the neck, and which is connected to an external pacemaker that can keep the heart rhythm going when it otherwise becomes too low.
Lars Aaberge is head of the Department of Cardiology at Oslo University Hospital and explains how a pacemaker works.
This is what Lars Aaberge, who is head of the cardiology department at Oslo University Hospital, told NRK.
– And in contrast to a permanent pacemaker, which is operated under the skin and remains there, a temporary pacemaker is something you use for a shorter period of time, says Aaberge.
He explains that temporary pacemakers are commonly used in connection with the transfer of patients, for example between hospitals. Or waiting for a permanent pacemaker to be operated on.
– It is also important to be aware that it is in itself a relatively undramatic thing, says Aaberge.
The armed forces contribute
An evacuation plane landed on the resort island of Langkawi, in Malaysia, on Friday. The Norwegian Armed Forces will fly the king home to Norway. The price tag is estimated at NOK 2 million.
The Prime Minister defends the cost.
– It happens that people get sick, so it is very special when our king gets sick. Then we have a shared responsibility to get him home, says Støre.
It is not known when the return journey will take place.
The evacuation plane in place in Malaysia.
Photo: Fang Yongbin / NRK
An SAS plane that has been converted into a medical evacuation plane took off from Oslo Airport on Thursday.
– Is the plane taken out of business that helps Ukrainian soldiers to fly the king home?
– It was not such a business when we sent the plane down, there was a reason why we could do it, Støre replies.
Journalist Kristi Marie Skrede summarizes the King’s state of health
Expensive to transport sick Norwegians home
Communications manager Heidi Tofterå Slettemoen at Frende forsikring explains to NRK that it is expensive to transport sick Norwegians home from abroad.
– It can quickly rise to NOK one and a half to NOK 2 million for each person as well. It all depends on the illness and how much help you need along the way, she says.
– So that it costs NOK 2 million to transport the king home, so it’s not an unreasonable price?
– No, by no means. This is a known amount for us. We have also paid the same to get our patients home from Asia, replies Slettemoen.
Sick on vacation
Earlier this week, King Harald fell ill during a holiday in Malaysia. He was admitted to the Sultanah Maliha Hospital in Langkawi.
According to the royal family, King Harald was hospitalized due to an infection, and he is receiving good follow-up from both Malaysian and Norwegian medical personnel.
King Harald in uniform when he arrived at the ceremonial opening of the 168th Storting in October 2023.
Photo: Emilie Holtet / NTB
King Harald has been sick with an infection several times in the past.
At the end of January, the king was on sick leave due to a respiratory infection, but was back at work after a few days.
In 2020, King Harald replaced a heart valve at Rikshospitalet, after struggling with heavy breathing.
Also in 2005, he also underwent an operation on the heart valve between the heart and the main artery. At that time, the aortic valve was replaced with an artificial heart valve.