UK doctor reveals details behind Jaya's death 'mystery': Major points from his press conference in TN

UK based Dr Richard Beale, who treated Jaya, said the former Tamil Nadu chief minister was critically ill and an acute sepsis led to her death.

By ET Online | Feb 06, 2017, 05.30 PM IST

Jayalalithaa was suffering from infection that led to organ failure, clarifies doctor

Jayalalithaa’s medical condition improved a lot after her admission in the hospital but later her condition deteriorated dramatically, according to doctors treating her. Doctors were though mum why it happened and refused to answer why it was told that the late Tamil Nadu CM was improving just before her death.

Dispelling rumours surrounding Jayalalithaa's death, Dr Richard Beale, the consultant intensivist from the London Bridge Hospital, said the former Tamil Nadu chief minister was critically ill and an acute sepsis led to her death.

They also cleared that the press conference was not convened by the Apollo Hospital; rather it was arranged by the Tamil Nadu government itself.

Here are some major revelations made by the doctors today.

1) For a period of time, she was treated with non-invasive ventilation, and initial condition improved somewhat, but sepsis progressed, it was necessary for her to go ventilator.

2) She was conscious when she signed the election commission on who would represent her at CM's office. A doctor read out the EC letter to her.

3) On why no photograph was released, Dr Beale said that it would have been inappropriate to take pictures of a critically ill person

4) She became short of breath and was brought to hospital. Respiratory failure was due to blood infection.

5) She had serious infection that led to organ failure.

6) She was talking, eating, interacting for about a week but sepsis worsened. She got tired and sleepy and communicated only by signs

7) Diabetes made the infection severe

8) There was no amputation, no transplant at all. Marks on cheek- critically ill patients can have some marks in cheeks

9) We only allowed people who Jaya wanted to meet

10) She could understand things though she could not speak during her last few days.

11) Sasikala and state chief secretary used to be regularly briefed. There used to be a daily briefing with the hospital chairman too.

12) She suffered a sudden cardiac arrest round about 5 o'çlock. A medical professional was there, so it was a witnessed cardiac arrest. CPR went on for five minutes. We gave her ECMO and as per practice we waited for 24 hours, revealed the doctors.

13) We discussed the issue of transferring her to London but there were clear risks of transferring a critically ill patient. All facilities at Apollo were of first rate and all expertise were available. When she was awake, she (Jayalalithaa) did not want to be shifted (to London).

14) There was no conspiracy, no strange thing happened, said the doctors. She was admitted to hospital and was road to recovery but had a sudden cardiac arrest which led to her tragic death and this is what happened.

Who is Doctor Richard Beale?

He is a Intensivist Specialist at the London Bridge Hospital. A top-notch doctor who specializes in Intensive Care Treatment and had travelled to Chennai thrice in three months to examine Jayalalithaa and oversee her treatment.

Why is he giving a statement now?

The press meet was facilitated by the Tamil Nadu government to address rumours and allegations surrounding Jayalalithaa’s death.

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