Jayalalithaa Continues to be Critical, Says Apollo

Updated on: 5 December 2016 6:21 pm

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa is no longer alive according to a local media report.
Though Apollo Chennai has denied these media reports and said that the AIADMK Supremo still continues to be critical.

"A large team of doctors from Apollo and AIIMS continues to provide all life saving measures to Jayalalithaa," said Sangita Reddy of Apollo Hospitals in a tweet.

She suffered cardiac arrest yesterday and was on various life support systems.

AIADMK flag was reportedly seen lowered at party headquarters in Royapettah though no official word on Jayalalithaa's latest condition has been put out.

Incidents of violence outside Apollo hospital in Chennai were reported after the media reports.

Centre had today dispatched a team of four specialists from the All India Institute of Medical Science to the hospital, said Health Minister J P Nadda. "We are in constant touch with Apollo and Tamil Nadu Government.

They had requested a team of doctors from AIIMS. We have sent a team of specialists from AIIMS Dr Khilani, Dr Trikha, Dr Narang and Dr Talwar. We hope that doctors from AIIMS and Apollo will be able to help in her recovery. We pray to God that she regains her health," Nadda said. Dr. Richard Beale, the London doctor who is being consulted for Jayalalitha's health situation said, "The situation is extremely grave, but I can confirm that everything possible is being done to give her the best chance of surviving this shocking event. She is being cared for by a highly multi-disciplinary team and is now on extra corporeal life support."

"This is the most advanced level of support available and is the approach the best centres internationally would take in this situation. That this technology is available in Apollo Chennai reflects the high degree of expertise of this centre and, that at all times, Madam has received exceptional care from Apollo and AIIMS care team, which are equal of any in the world,"

68-year-old Jayalalithaa has been put on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), a heart assist device, and was under the watch of experts, including cardiologists.

The six time chief minister of Tamil Nadu suffered cardiac arrest and respiratory failure on Sunday evening and was rushed back into the critical care unit of Apollo Hospital, where she has been admitted since September 22.

The hospital bulletin said Jayalalithaa, is being treated for heart conditions. The hospital bulletin said she is being treated by a team of cardiologists, pulmonologists and critical care specialists. Jayalalithaa has been put on extracorporeal membrane heart assist device, which is heart-lung by-pass machine that pumps and oxygenates patient's blood outside the body,allowing heart and lungs to rest .

AIADMK reported that she has had a heart surgery this morning. Party Spokesperson CR Saraswati said, "There was an angio procedure this morning. Doctors say don't worry, Amma will be fine."

Paramilitary forces has been placed around the hospital as party activists and admirers of the chief minister and erstwhile Tamil actress started flooding the hospital.

With more and more people reaching the premises and lining up the approach roads, it resulted in traffic congestion in the neighbourhood.

Police are having a tough time in regulating the crowd and ensuring that patients are not inconvenienced even as the hospital remained under tight security cover.

A large number of AIADMK cadres, including women, anxiously stayed put outside the hospital, which has been covered in a thick blanket of security. Party workers from several districts like Parimala of Tiruvannamalai and Subramanian of North Chennai, who arrived at the hospital, told PTI that "We are waiting. We are confident that we will get good news soon."

Some people milling around the hospital premises, including AIADMK workers, were seen praying seeking divine intervention so that their party supremo Jayalalithaa recovers.

State DGP T K Rajendran yesterday asked all police personnel to remain on duty from today "until further orders".

"They should report in full uniform with their vehicles for law and order bandobust duty until further orders," he said as worried party supporters continued to pray for her recovery.

Following the development, Tamil Nadu Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao, who is also the Governor of Maharashtra, airdashed to the city from Mumbai and visited Apollo Hospital last night.

Union Minister Pon Radhakrishnan, who arrived at the airport here this morning, said all BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, wished for a complete recovery of Jayalalithaa and they were praying for her. He expressed confidence that Jayalalithaa will soon recover and resume official duties.

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju today said the state may require extra forces, which the Home Ministry will be ready to put on standby "whenever" they are required.Because of the prevailing health condition of the Chief Minister (Jayalalithaa) they may require extra forces which the Home Ministry will be ready to be put on standby, whenever and whatever they require," the minister said.

AIADMK Ministers, who stayed put at the hospital since yesterday, left this morning. They did not talk to the waiting media persons.

Actor and party supporter, 'Gundu' Kalyanam, said the party workers had faith in the divine power and expressed confidence that Jayalalithaa would recover.

President Pranab Mukherjee, DMK leader M Karunanidhi, his son and opposition leader K Stalin, Union Ministers, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Chief Ministers and a host of leaders have expressed concern over Jayalalithaa's health condition and wished her speedy recovery. Kerala Governor P Sathasivam today said he was "deeply saddened" to hear of her health condition. In his message, the governor said: "Deeply saddened by TN CM Selvi J Jayalalithaa suffering cardiac arrest.I pray for her speedy recovery so that people of Tamil Nadu receive her service and blessings."

Apollo hospital has appealed to the public to pray for Jayalalithaa.

The Hon'ble CM is the beloved leader of the masses. Please join us in praying for her speedy recovery. #GodblessAmma #Jayalalithaa
— Apollo Hospitals (@HospitalsApollo) December 4, 2016

Image Courtesy: ANI (Twitter)

Jayalalithaa's health plummeted hours after her party, AIADMK, announced that she has been declared fit by specialist doctors. Her party continues to maintain that Amma, as she is reverently known among her supporters, is completely fine.

She was hospitalised on September 22 after she complained of fever and dehydration. Later, the hospital had said she was being treated for infection with respiratory support, among others. Specialists from Delhi AIIMS and London have been flown in to treat her during the period.

With more and more people reaching the premises and lining up the approach roads, it resulted in traffic congestion in the neighbourhood.

Though the state government has not announced closure of schools and educational institutions, some of them remained closed as the managements took a decision in this regard. Even in schools that were open, thin attendance was reported.

Due to her prolonged stay in the hospital, Jayalalithaa's most trusted minister O Panneerselvam took charge of all portfolios held by the CM on October 11. However, she continues as the chief minister and Paneerselvam will also preside over cabinet meetings.