J Jayalalithaa's health: Tamil Nadu CM 'very critical', thousands outside Apollo hospital

CHENNAI: Apollo Hospitals said today that a team of its doctors and those from AIIMS was continuously monitoring the health of Chief Minister Jayalalithaa and denied as “totally baseless and false” reports that she was no more.

LIVE UPDATES on Jayalalithaa's health:

• Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu leaves from Apollo Hospital
• AIADMK MLAs meeting underway at party HQs
• AIADMK raises flag at full mast at party HQ in Royapettah after Apollo Hospitals' denial of reports on Jayalalithaa's health condition.

• Apollo Hospitals said that a team of its doctors and those from AIIMS was continuously monitoring the health of CM Jayalalithaa and denied as “totally baseless and false” reports that she was no more.

• A large team of doctors from Apollo and AIIMS continue to provide all life saving measures: Hospital
• AIADMK flag lowered at party headquarters in Royapettah though no official word on Jayalalithaa's latest condition. (PTI)
• Our team of expert doctors continue to closely monitor and treat the Honourable Chief Minister. However her condition remains critical: Apollo Hospital

Press statement on Tamil Nadu CM jayalalithaa's condition by Dr Richard Beale

Press statement on #TamilNadu CM #jayalalithaa's condition by Dr Richard Beale, specialist doctor from London.https://t.co/SxV4OeV1ro pic.twitter.com/REA0MWQW3M

— ABP News (@abpnewstv) December 5, 2016

• Her condition is critical, but I have seen patients recovering from such illness; she is a fighter: Tamilisai Soundararajan (TN BJP Chief)

• AIIMS team reaches Apollo Hospital
• The best medical treatment has been given, we should not speculate anything; I wish she will come out of danger: Vaiko, MDMK Chief
• She detained me under POTA but apart from politics I treat her like sister. She will come out of crisis: MDMK chief Vaiko

MDMK chief Vaiko reaches Apollo Hospital.

• She is being cared for by a highly expert multidisciplinary team and is now on extra corporal life support: Dr.Richard Beale
• Situation extremely grave but can confirm everything possible being done to give her best chance of surviving: Dr.Richard Beale
• Despite our best efforts, our beloved CM remains in a grave situation: Sangita Reddy, Executive Director Apollo Group

ECMO or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is a life support system used for patients with life threatening heart or lung problems. Apollo said the 68-year-old Jayalalithaa, who has been in hospital since September, was being treated and closely monitored by experts. Crowds began to mass outside the hospital from Sunday evening as news that Jayalalithaa had suffered a cardiac arrest spread like wild fire. "Our doctors are closely monitoring (her) condition and they are trying their very best," tweeted Apollo Hospitals Joint Managing Director Sangita Reddy on Sunday. She then described the Chief Minister's condition as "critical". Maharashtra Governor C. Vidyasagar Rao, who has additional charge of Tamil Nadu, visited the hospital on Sunday night. But he did not issue any statement after his hospital visit. On earlier occasions, Raj Bhavan used to issue statements each time he visited Apollo Hospital. Apollo said on Sunday evening that Jayalalithaa "is being treated and monitored by a team of experts including cardiologists, pulmonologist and the critical care specialists". It said Richard Beale, a doctor in London, had been consulted and that he concurred with the line of treatment. In an another tweet, the hospital said: "The Hon'ble CM is the beloved leader of the masses. Please join us in praying for her speedy recovery. #GodblessAmma #Jayalalithaa." A large number of police personnel was deployed at the Apollo hospital. Security was also stepped up across the sprawling state where Jayalalithaa enjoys widespread support. Tamil Nadu ministers and legislators gathered at the hospital along with a mass of AIADMK activists and Jayalalithaa fans. Many broke down outside the hospital as they collected behind police barricades. Some men and women, their hands folded, offered silent prayers for Jayalalithaa's early recovery. Some tried to enter the hospital premises but were restrained. Jayalalithaa's posters were held high by her supporters. Fans also offered special prayers in temples. Some parts of Chennai experienced shortages of milk as traders jacked up prices fearing a shutdown. President Pranab Mukherjee joined the political class in wishing Jayalalithaa a speedy recovery. "Distressed to hear about Jayalalithaa suffering a cardiac arrest, my prayers for her speedy recovery," said a post on the President's Twitter account. DMK chief M. Karunanidhi and his son and party leader M.K. Stalin also conveyed their best wishes for her recovery. "Praying for Jayalalithaaji's quick recovery. I hope she gets better very soon," said Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed her concern. "May God bless her." "Maharashtra prays for her speedy recovery," posted Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Rajasthan counterpart Vasundhara Raje tweeted: "May she get recover soon." RJD chief Lalu Prasad said: "Totally worried... Let's all pray for her." Apollo Hospital had earlier said she was on the road to recovery and she could take a decision on going home. Meanwhile, authorities in Kerala strengthened security on the border with Tamil Nadu. Police were put on alert in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Idukki and Palakkad districts that border Tamil Nadu.