A specialist in critical care who treated Jayalalithaa told the Commission of Inquiry looking into the former Chief Minister's death that the option of flying her abroad was discussed with government officials, who responded by saying that the AIADMK general secretary will not give consent to the proposal.
R. Senthil Kumar, a senior consultant with Apollo Hospitals, told the Justice (Retd.) A. Arumughaswamy Commission during cross-examination that the hospital did not decide on taking its patient abroad. Options were presented before relatives, who took the decision.
The controversy over taking Jayalalithaa abroad for treatment surfaced recently after comments made by Deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam, who said that he had suggested to Apollo Hospital authorities that the former CM be taken abroad. He went on to allege that the hospital had rejected his request.
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According to V.K. Sasikala's lawyer N. Raja Senthoor Pandian, Dr. Kumar — who was cross-examined on Thursday — said that he was not aware of Mr. Panneerselvam’s request. Sasikala’s lawyer sought to turn the tables on Mr. Panneerselvam for his criticism of Apollo and extracted a testimony that the Deputy CM’s mother had sought treatment at the hospital four times since Jayalalithaa’s death.
A source said that Dr. Kumar had said that Jayalalithaa was in no condition to be taken abroad from the time of her admission on September 22, 2016, to mid-October. When her condition improved slightly, the option was discussed with various individuals, including the Health Minister, who said that Jayalalithaa will not agree to leave the country.
Dr. Kumar also said that he was outside the room when intensivist Dr. Richard Beale exited the room after discussing the possibility with Jayalalithaa herself; Dr. Beale reported that the CM had declined to be flown abroad.
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Dr. Kumar said that he was in the room when, on the night of her admission, Jayalalithaa instructed secretaries and Ministers in her room about informing the public about her condition. He identified former chief secretary P. Rama Mohana Rao as being one of the individuals in the room when the CM said that their communique should portray her as being “hale and hearty.””
Dr. Kumar quoted a study to say that Jayalalithaa had had a “sudden cardiac death.” A source said that he had said that he was “upset by the outcome, but not surprised” when talking of the CM's death.
Dr. Kumar also spoke of the CM as being a private person, who was at times uncomfortable with male doctors visiting her; they were often made to wait while she readied herself for the appointment. He said that her personal security made elaborate arrangements every time the CM had to be moved out of the room for tests and medical procedures. Security personnel would discuss the movement plan a day ahead and would clear the floor before wheeling Jayalalithaa out. Screens were placed on all sides of the stretcher so that no one could see the CM.
Mr. Pandian quoted various witnesses to say that Jayalalithaa was never unconscious during her time in the care of Apollo Hospitals; he said that she was only drowsy, except for the time when she had to be sedated.