Chennai: Chief Minister J . Jayalalithaa is “living beautifully” without ventilator but she is recuperating at the Intensive Care Unit only to ward off any possible infection, Apollo Hospitals Chairman Dr Prathap C Reddy said on Friday.
Ms Jayalalithaa, who was admitted to the Apollo Hospitals here on September 22, has “recovered completely” and her mental functions are “absolutely normal”.
“Great teams have worked round the clock and the Chief Minister has recovered completely. However respiratory support is being given to her periodically to ensure that her lungs don’t collapse,” Mr Reddy told reporters on the sidelines of an event organised by his hospital.
The Apollo Hospitals Chairman also said it was for the Chief Minister to decide on her discharge. “Chief Minister can leave for home as and when she wants to,” he said.
“She lives beautifully without ventilator but that has been kept so that the lungs should not collapse. Only for that purpose it is used. She is sleeping normally, eating normal food and increased high-protein diet that her body needs (now),” he said.
Ms Jayalalithaa was examined by British expert Dr Richard Beale and specialists from the prestigious All India Institute of Medical Sciences during her stay at the Apollo Hospitals and is currently under the monitoring of a team of expert doctors.
“Responsibilities at that level is to guide and direct, which, I suppose she can do well even now. However, I cannot dictate her to go to work or not. She has a passion for work and will get back as soon as possible. Her mental functions, I can assure you, are absolutely normal,” Dr Reddy, said, when asked when the Chief Minister can resume duties.
