Former Prime Minister Dom Mintoff, who was hospitalised on Wednesday, remains critical although his situation has somewhat improved, the health authorities said.

Mr Mintoff, 95, who is still in the Intensive Therapy Unit, where he was admitted to Mater Dei suffering from pulmonary edema. 

He is being managed by a multidisciplinary team consisting of intensive care physicians and nurses, cardiologists and respiratory physicians.

He was last in hospital in February when he had also been in a critical condition. At the time he had suffered a severe chest infection and heart failure, but managed to pull through.

He was also admitted to Mater Dei and Gozo General Hospital several times last year as he became increasingly frail. He now spends much of his time in a wheelchair.