Highlights
- London-based specialist says Jayalalithaa's condition 'extremely grave'
- Dr Richard Beale has flown down to Chennai twice to supervise her care
- Doing everything possible to give her best chance of surviving, he says
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa's condition is "extremely grave", said Dr Richard Beale, a London-based doctor who has flown down twice in recent months to supervise the politician's care.
Dr Beale is a pulmonary specialist. He told NDTV over the phone from London that the 68-year-old politician is "now on the most advanced support".
Since
a cardiac arrest last evening, Ms Jayalalithaa has been on life support systems and equipment that has taken over basic lung and heart functions.
"The situation is extremely grave but I can confirm that everything possible is being done to give her the best chance of surviving (the cardiac arrest)," Dr Beale said in a statement.
Ms Jayalalithaa was admitted to Apollo Hospital in Chennai on September 22 with her party talking initially of dehydration and fever. Her condition deteriorated soon after and she spent several weeks in the critical care section of the hospital before doctors deemed her well enough on November 20 to move to a private room.
Recently, doctors said she was able to speak for a few minutes at a time and was alert. Her party said yesterday morning that she would soon decide when to return home.