Acting TN Governor meets Jaya’s doctors

A DAY after the opposition demanded an immediate intervention of the state governor to know the health status of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, acting governor C Vidyasagar Rao visited the Chennai Apollo Hospital on Saturday evening. The visit gains significance at a time when there is an intensified concern about the health of Jayalalithaa, who has been hospitalised since September 22.

“Governor Rao entered the critical care room along with Apollo founder Prathap C Reddy and saw Jayalalithaa,” said an official source, refusing to reveal further.

Although the hospital has issued at least four health bulletins since the day of her admission and Tamil media houses have shown restraint in their coverage, there was no dearth of rumours and speculations about Jayalalithaa’s health.

On Friday, a statement issued by DMK chief M Karunanidhi said the Governor had not visited the Chief Minister even though she has been in hospital for a week.

Meanwhile, Richard John Beale, a critical care physician at the London Bridge Hospital, and specialising in treatment for acute lung injury, multiple organ failure and critical care, was flown in on Friday. Hospital sources said he would help doctors attending to Jayalalithaa.

“We have started tests suggested by Dr Beale,” said a source. A consultant intensivist, Beale was brought in as he has handled many cases and done research on Sepsis and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome.

J Jayalalithaa