Latham laid up again by pancreatitis

By Misha Schubert
Political correspondent

January 6, 2005

The Labor leader is confined to bed while doctors try to find the cause of the renewed inflammation.

Crippled by a fresh attack of acute pancreatitis, Mark Latham has spent the past 10 days confined to his bed on doctor's orders.

The Labor leader's renewed health scare has cast doubt on when he may return to work from holidays.

In recent days he has been severely criticised for failing to make a public statement of condolence over the tsunami that claimed the lives of more than 150,000 people in the region on December 26.

But The Age believes Mr Latham's holiday has been consumed with trying to reclaim his health.

After recognising the warning signs early this time, the Labor leader was ordered to bed in his Sydney home while doctors perform a battery of diagnostic tests to find the cause of the renewed inflammation.

Mr Latham was first struck down with the painful condition in late August - just weeks before Prime Minister John Howard called the election campaign - after collapsing during a meeting with former prime minister Bob Hawke.

Mr Latham was in hospital for three nights while doctors tried to identify whether a stray gallstone was responsible for his inflamed pancreas.

But tests were unable to pinpoint the reason for the attack, which can sometimes also be triggered by heavy alcohol consumption.

The mystery is not uncommon - diagnostic tests cannot explain one in five cases.

In the past, Mr Latham had been ribbed about the bulky frame and "man boobs" he had acquired on a politician's diet.

But after his first health scare, the Labor leader overhauled his diet and fitness regime.

During the gruelling election campaign he stuck to a strict low-fat diet, and jogged or walked most afternoons.

"It's not much fun," he told radio king John Laws after the first bout with the painful condition. "I heard someone compare it to having a child so it was pretty awful, absolutely."

At the time, Australian Medical Association vice-president Mukesh Haikerwal said pancreatitis was one of the most painful conditions anyone could experience.

"The classical picture is of someone sitting on a bed, stooped over, they just can't move, they can't eat or drink," he said.

"It hurts like stink. Pancreatitis is severe, it can go on for days and is not quickly forgotten."

Mr Latham's office declined to comment on his latest health scare last night.

But acting Labor leader Chris Evans is expected to make a statement on Mr Latham's condition today.

In contrast to Mr Latham, Prime Minister John Howard maintains excellent health. He is renowned for his morning walks and for eating three regular meals each day, giving him an energy that belies his 65 years.

Mr Latham's first bout of pancreatitis sparked claims he may not be able to cope with the rigours of the election campaign.