Havel’s health improves slightly

The health of former Czech president Vaclav Havel has improved slightly, though he will remain in intensive care, a spokesperson for Motol hospital said on Wednesday. The playwright, who is 72, was admitted to hospital with breathing difficulties a week and a half ago and underwent minor surgery to remove an abscess from his throat. There were complications following the operation due to congestion of the right lung. Much of Mr Havel’s right lung was removed when he was diagnosed with cancer in the mid-1990s.