You're reading: Ukrainian nurse denies Gaddafi’s heart problems

Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi's nurse Oksana Balynska said Gaddafi has no health problems.

Balynska also denied the rumors that Gaddafi has blood pressure problems and has heart problems.

"It’s a lie, the same as the report that his son Hamid has been killed – he is safe and sound. Despite his age, Gaddafi is in better shape than many other people. He leads a healthy lifestyle and has checkups once a year, and his blood pressure is perfect," Balynska said in an interview published in the Tuesday edition of Komsomolskaya Pravda.

"He is not too choosy about food. He likes couscous, which he eats with camel meat or mutton. Like all Libyan people, he likes Italian food, especially macaroni. After meetings and work, Gaddafi likes to sit outside and think," Balynska said.

Balynska said Gaddafi lives in a secure residence.

"When I first saw his residence in Tripoli, I was in shock. It was a huge territory behind a high fence. There were barbed wire and towers along the perimeter. There were armed military men and equipment everywhere," she said.

Balynska said Gaddafi treats his staff well and they call him "Papa."

"We, staff, have nothing to complain about. When we came to new York, for example, Papa personally ordered for us to receive money to go to local boutiques," she said.

"Every year on Sept. 1, the day Gaddafi took office, he used to give Italian golden watches with his picture on them to everyone who works in his residence. People who have worked for him for 6-8 years have a whole collection," Balynska said.

Balynska said Ukrainian Halyna Kolotnytska, who was called by the media Gaddafi’s "chief" nurse was not as such.

"Gaddafi’s ‘chief’ nurse is Serbian and her name is Draga. What they write about Galina Kolotnitska is not true," Balynska said.