Chennai: DMK president M Karunanidhi will require an extended period of hospitalisation due to “decline” in his general health though his vital parameters have normalised, the Kauvery Hospital said Tuesday evening.
“Although there has been resolution of the condition which led to his hospital admission, an extended period of hospitalisaiton will be necessary due to age related overall decline in his general health, altered liver function and haematological parameters,” hospital’s Executive Director Dr Aravindan Selvaraj said in a press release.
Recalling that the 94-year-old former chief minister was admitted with a drop in blood pressure on July 28, he said Karunanidhi was later “resuscitated and stabilised” in the ICU and managed by a team of doctors and nurses.
There was a setback in his clinical condition on July 29 due to difficulty in breathing, but he “responded well to medical management and his vital signs have gradually normalised”, Dr Aravindan said, adding that the DMK chief continues to maintain his vital signs with active medical support in the ICU for the fourth day today.
Congress president Rahul Gandhi and superstar Rajinikanth were among the VIP visitors to the hospital to see Karunanidhi on the fourth day Tuesday. “I met him, he is fine, stable. I am quite happy to see that he is doing well. He is a very tough person like the people of Tamil Nadu. He has the spirit of Tamil Nadu in him,” Rahul told reporters outside the hospital.
He also said his mother Sonia Gandhi had sent her best wishes and regards to Karunanidhi and his family. The Congress party has a long-standing relationship with the DMK patriarch, he added.
The DMK released pictures of Rahul in the ICU, showing Stalin whispering into the ear of his father about the Congress leader's presence.
Landing at Chennai airport from New Delhi in the afternoon, Rahul headed straight for the Kauvery Hospital amid tight security. He was received by Stalin and other senior leaders at the hospital, while DMK cadres continued to keep vigil on the Alwarpet roads despite rain.
“I visited Kalaignar today. Wonderful to see that the Tamil fighting spirit that has endeared him to millions, is still strong! I join his fans all around the world, his well wishers and his family, in wishing him a speedy recovery”, Rahul tweeted later.
In the evening, Rajinikanth returned to Chennai from his film-shooting trip and drove straight from the airport to the hospital to see Karunanidhi. “I came to enquire about the health of veteran leader Kalaignar. I pray to the almighty for his speedy recovery. I met and consoled M.K. Stalin, Alagiri, Tamilselvan and Kanimozhi,” he told reporters.
When asked if he had seen Mr Karunanidhi, he replied, “yes, I saw him. He was sleeping.
