Jaya under close watch of expert doctors, prayers for recovery

TIL Desk/National/Chennai/ Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, said to be critical after suffering a cardiac arrest, today continued to remain under close watch of an expert team of doctors at the Apollo Hospitals where she has been undergoing treatment for more than two months.

Doctors were closely monitoring the condition of Jayalalithaa and trying their “very best”, the hospital said early today, hours after she suffered the cardiac arrest. 68-year-old Jayalalithaa has been put on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), a heart assist device, and was under the watch of experts, including cardiologists.

A large number of AIADMK cadres, including women, anxiously stayed put outside the hospital, which has been covered in a thick blanket of security. Worried party supporters continued to pray for her recovery. State DGP T K Rajendran yesterday asked all police personnel to remain on duty from today “until further orders”.

“They should report in full uniform with their vehicles for law and order bandobust duty until further orders,” he said. Announcing the sudden deterioration in health, a statement by Chief Operating Officer and head of transformation of Apollo Hospitals Dr Subbaiah Viswanathan last night said, “she is being treated and monitored by a team of experts, including cardiologists, pulmonologist and critical care specialists.”