BackDoctors give detailed report of Jayalalithaa’s treatment
British doctor Richard Beale addresses a press conference in Chennai on late CM J. Jayalalithaa's health condition when she was brought to the Apollo Hospitals
Premium
Chennai: The Tamil Nadu government Monday organized a press conference by doctors who attended to J. Jayalalithaa before the former chief minister died on 5 December to dispel the secrecy around her death.
UK-based intensivist Richard Beale, government doctor Dr. P. Balaji, critical care consultant at Apollo Hospitals Dr. Babu Abraham and Dr. Sudha Seshaiyyan who embalmed Jayalalithaa’s body attended the press conference.
Doctors said Jayalalithaa had sepsis— an infection with serious consequences— and died of a cardiac arrest. “Sepsis can affect quickly and a person can fall sick within hours. Bacterial infection was the underlying problem," Beale said. He also added that her condition had improved initially and she was interacting.
After she suffered a cardiac arrest on 4 December, “at about 5 pm, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was started immediately," Dr Babu said. “When the CPR failed, we put her on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). We needed to give the patient time of about 24 hours after we put her on ECMO," Babu added.
“Her heart was not yet beating. So we conveyed this to the official and her family and medical decision was taken to switch off ECMO, as we felt it was futile," he said. The 68-year old died at 11.30 PM on 5 December.
Jayalalithaa, who was hospitalized on 22 September was in intensive care unit with a non-invasive ventilator and was slowly taken off the ventilator when her condition improved. Later, when she was moved to the room, she was on respiratory support.
“Embalming was done post-midnight after her death was announced. In cases of VIP death, the body is generally placed for public viewing and hence embalming is done. There were only ecchymotic spots when embalming was done," said Dr. Sudha.
Beale added that Jayalalithaa did not undergo any amputation or organ transplant.
While Beale asserted that she was given the best treatment by the Apollo, Dr. Balaji said that the cost of treatment was Rs5-5.5 crore. “We have handed over the bill to her family," he said.
Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed – it's all here, just a click away! Login Now!
