Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa, who has been in hospital since September 22, is responding well to the treatment given to her and has been advised a few more days’ stay in hospital, said Apollo Hospitals on Sunday.
The hospital said Jayalalithaa continues to improve. In a statement issued here, Apollo Hospitals said the current treatment plan, including appropriate antibiotics and other allied clinical measures, are presently being continued to treat infection the 68-year-old leader is suffering from.
The current treatment plan is based on the detailed discussions the expert group of doctors had with British doctor Richard Beale. According to the statement, Beale is Consultant in Intensive Care Medicine at Guy’s and St. Thomas Hospital, London. As per the London hospital’s website, Beale is one of its critical care consultants and clinical director, perioperative, pain and critical care directorate. He is an experienced investigator in the fields of sepsis, ARDS, haemodynamics, critical care nutrition and ICU informatics.
Jayalalithaa was admitted to Apollo Hospital on September 22 for fever and dehydration. Subsequently, Apollo Hospital said she was cured of fever and needed to be in the hospital for observation. Though Jayalalithaa is in the hospital, major government decisions are being taken by her.
On September 27, Jayalalithaa after discussing the issues related to the Cauvery water row, dictated her speech to be read out by Chief Secretary P. Rama Mohana Rao at the meeting of the executive heads of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. The meeting was held on September 29 in New Delhi and Rao read out her speech. Even the party statements are issued in Jayalalithaa’s name.
Meanwhile, state Finance Ministter O. Panneerselvam, Electricity Minister P. Thangamani and Forest Minister Dindigul C. Srinigasan visited Apollo Hospitals on Sunday. The standard answer from party leaders about Jayalalithaa’s health condition is that “Amma is well and will be back soon.”
Party spokesperson C.R. Saraswathi, meanwhile, urged the people and the party cadres not to believe the baseless rumours about Jayalalithaa’s health. “Our Amma (Jayalalithaa) is meeting Ministers and giving instructions on the local body polls. She is fine but needs some rest,” Saraswathi said. Party cadres continue to hold special prayers at different temples across the state.
