British, Delhi doctors back in Apollo Hospital to examine Jayalalithaa

CHENNAI: Three specialists from the prestigious All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and British expert Dr Richard Beale examined Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on Thursday and discussed the line of treatment with her doctors. AIIMS’ pulmonologist Dr G C Khilnani, who had examined the Chief Minister on Sunday and Monday as well, cardiologist Dr Nitish Naik and anaesthetist Dr Anjan Trikha joined the panel of doctors on Thursday along with Dr Beale, the specialist in intensive care, who flew in from London for the third time in three weeks.

The doctors had earlier concurred with the line of treatment being given to the Chief Minister and had suggested continuance. According to the last statement released by Apollo Hospitals on Monday (October 10), the Chief Minister “was being given respiratory support, antibiotics, nutrition, supportive therapy and passive physiotherapy and was being monitored closely”.

In the absence of an official statement from the Apollo Hospitals on Thursday, rumour mills were working overtime, but optimists in the AIADMK camp pointed out to the statement released by acting Governor CH Vidyasagar Rao, which said he had handed over the portfolios of the Chief Minister to Finance Minister O. Panneerselvam “on her advice”. Nevertheless, DMK chief M. Karunanidhi had questioned Mr Rao's statement on how he had consulted Ms Jayalalithaa on handing over the portfolios held by her to the former CM.

Meanwhile, Ms Jayalalithaa spent her 22nd day at the hospital and she seems to be getting the best of treatment from specialists drawn not just from India but also across the world. A medical bulletin issued by the Apollo Hospitals on October 6 had said Ms Jayalalithaa would require “longer stay” at the hospital.