Jayalalithaa ‘largely conscious’, still on respiratory support: Sources

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa is “largely conscious” and is able to sit up in her hospital bed, sources said on Friday, though she continues to be on respiratory support.

Ms Jayalalithaa has been in hospital for more than three weeks and is being treated for a lung infection, her doctors have said. She still requires many days of treatment and will be able to speak only after a tracheostomy tube or breathing tube is removed, the sources said.

The chief minister’s party the AIADMK said yesterday that she is “completely well” and will return home soon.

“Amma ( Jayalalithaa) has progressed very well under the daily monitoring of Apollo Hospital doctors and specialists and soon she will return home,” AIADMK spokesperson CR Saraswathy told reporters in Chennai.

She said Ms Jayalalithaa was “taking rest” on the advice of doctors, “otherwise, she is completely well and will come home soon. God is by her side on her health.”

Ms Jayalalithaa, 68, was admitted to Chennai’s Apollo Hospital on September 22. Her party had initially said she was being treated for fever and dehydration.

Doctors later confirmed that Ms Jayalalithaa was being treated for a lung infection and a specialist from London has made multiple trips to Chennai to examine her. A three- doctor team has also visited Chennai.

Last week, the eight ministries that Ms Jayalalithaa personally supervises were handed over by the state’s governor to her senior most minister O Panneerselvam, who also held a cabinet meeting this week, placing the chief minister’s photograph on the table before him and leaving her seat empty.

Party workers and supporters of Ms Jayalalithaa continue holding special prayers in temples, churches and mosques across the state, wishing her a speedy recovery.

-