Doctor clears the air on flying Jayalalithaa abroad
CHENNAI, SEPTEMBER 29, 2018 00:00 IST
Jayalalithaa
Says former CM had shot down the suggestion made by Dr. Richard Beale
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.
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.
CHENNAI, SEPTEMBER 29, 2018 00:00 IST
Jayalalithaa
Says former CM had shot down the suggestion made by Dr. Richard Beale
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.
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.
No comments:
Post a Comment