King Harald V of Norway Receives Temporary Pacemaker in Malaysia as He Recovers from an Infection

King Harald V of Norway is one step closer to getting discharged from the hospital and returning home.

The Royal House of Norway announced in a new press release that the 87-year-old royal — who was admitted into a Malaysian hospital earlier this week after falling ill during a private trip in the country — underwent surgery to get a temporary pacemaker implanted into his body.

The decision was made to install the pacemaker Sunday morning, local time, due to the King’s “low heart rate,” according to the release. The King's anesthesiologist Bjørn Bendz, who is with the monarch, said that the pacemaker will make his journey back to Norway safer. 

The palace added that while the King is doing well after the operation, he still needs more rest. A medical transport to take him home is scheduled to arrive within the next couple of days. 

In its initial announcement about King Harald’s hospitalization, the palace said the King had “fallen ill during his holiday stay in Malaysia” and was transported to the hospital with “an infection.” It said in a statement, “The King receives good care from both Malaysian and Norwegian medical personnel.”

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre shared on Wednesday that he was “sad” to hear the latest health update about the monarch and wished him a “speedy recovery,” according to Norwegian news agency NTB, per ABC News. 

His son Crown Prince Haakon will carry out his engagements at home following his hospital care. 

King Harald faced a series of medical issues in recent years. He was previously hospitalized for infections in August 2022 and December 2022. Both times, he was able to recover and return to his royal duties.

Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage? Sign up for our free Royals newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more!

He has also previously undergone surgery for bladder cancer and had another operation for heart valve problems in 2005. In January 2022, he underwent a leg operation before testing positive for COVID-19 two months later. 

The monarch has shared that he has no plans to abdicate the throne like his Danish counterpart, Queen Margrethe.

“I stand by what I have said all along,” the King said, referring to the promise he made to the Norwegian Parliament when he acceded to the throne in 1991. “I have taken an oath to the Storting, and it lasts for life.”