Apollo Hospital Chairman Pratap Reddy briefed Tamil Nadu’s acting governor regarding Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa’s health on Saturday and said she was responding “remarkably” to treatment, reports said. Reddy told Vidyasagar Rao that she has been interacting and that her health was improving. Rao’s visit came a day after the hospital issued its first statement in 11 days, in which it said she was “interacting and progressing gradually”.
The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam chief was admitted to Apollo Hospital in Chennai on September 22 for fever and dehydration. Earlier this week, party spokesperson CR Saraswathy said that Jayalalithaa has "progressed very well" and will soon be discharged from the hospital. He said that her doctors had advised rest for about 10 more days.
Jayalalithaa's health has been a major cause for concern in the state. AIADMK supporters are still holding special prayers across Tamil Nadu for her recovery. One of her supporters allegedly committed suicide in Tirupur district on October 13 after reading reports about her health deteriorating.
The AIADMK has tried to end speculation about her health. At least eight people have been arrested for "spreading rumours" about her condition, and more than 50 cases have been registered. On October 10, the AIADMK had launched a social media campaign, urging supporters to help end the speculation. The party asked supporters to use the campaign's image as their profile picture on social media and use the hashtags #MyCMIsFine and #NoMoreRumours.
Opposition leader MK Stalin, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi, Nita Ambani and Rajinikanth were among those who have visited Apollo Hospital in an attempt to meet the AIADMK chief, but none were allowed inside her ward.
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