Egyptian singer and actress Shadia has been hospitalised after suffering a severe flu and chest pains.

According to official Egyptian news agency MENA, the 78-year-old artist has spent the last four days in intensive care following a recent rapid decline in health.

MENA has confirmed that she is currently in stable condition.

Fatima Kamal Shaker, who later became popularly known as Shadia, was born in Cairo's Abdeen district. She began her career as a singer but later became one of her generation's most prominent film stars, appearing in over 112 films, ten radio serials and one play.