Indian minister Jayalalithaa suffers cardiac arrest
ArrayChennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa suffered a cardiac arrest on Sunday evening and is being treated by a team of specialists at Apollo Hospitals where she has been admitted since late September.
‘The Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu who is undergoing treatment at Apollo Hospitals, Greams Road, Chennai, suffered a cardiac arrest this evening. She is being treated and monitored by a team of experts including cardiologists, pulmonologist and the critical care specialists,’ the hospital said in a statement.
‘She is on extracorporeal membrane heart assist device and is being treated by a team of expert doctors and critical care specialists.
‘Dr Richard Beale from London has also been consulted and he has concurred with the line of treatment by our cardiologists & pulmonologists,’ said the hospital authorities.
While a sizeable police contingent was deployed at the hospital, reports said that security was being stepped up across the state.
State ministers, senior officials and others assembled at the hospital, even as a huge crowd of All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) cadre gathered, many of whom broke down while others fervently prayed for her well-being. Some allegedly tried to enter the premises but were stopped.
Leaders across the country extended their best wishes to the 68-year-old AIADMK supremo.
President Pranab Mukherjee wished Jayalalithaa a speedy recovery.
‘Distressed to hear about CM Jayalalithaa suffering a cardiac arrest, my prayers for her speedy recovery,’ said a post on the President’s official account.
DMK chief M. Karunanidhi and his son and party leader M.K. Stalin also took to Twitter to convey their wishes for her speedy recovery.
Jayalalithaa was admitted to the hospital for treatment of fever and dehydration on September 22. The doctors later said she needed a longer hospital stay as she was suffering from infection, and put her on respiratory support.
Recently Apollo Hospitals Chairman Pratap C. Reddy told media that Jayalalithaa is returning to normalcy and all her vital organs are functioning well.
She was shifted out of Intensive Care Unit as there were no health complications, he had said, adding that she could go home whenever she decides to do so.