CHENNAI: Apollo Hospital, Chennai, Chairman Prathap C Reddy revealed all CCTV cameras in the ICU ward of the hospital were turned off during the 75-day hospitalisation of former Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa before her death on December 5, 2016. Speaking on the sidelines of a press conference of the Apollo International Colorectal Symposium 2018, Reddy said that the hospital had submitted all relevant documents to the Justice A Arumughaswamy Commission of inquiry probing the death.
Jaya was admitted to the hospital on September 22, 2016, and suffered a cardiac arrest on December 4. She was declared dead the next day. When asked if he had also submitted CCTV footage, Reddy said, “I am sorry. Unfortunately, they switched off all the CCTVs for all the 75 days. As soon as she got admitted, the access to the ICU was closed. All patients were diverted to another ICU. This ICU was occupied only by her. Only one out of 24 rooms in the ICU was used. They removed the camera because they did not want everyone to be watching.” He added that no visitors were allowed to meet her.
“In hospital, we follow a simple policy. No one is allowed in the ICU, except close relatives for a short time. Since she was critical, we did not permit. But relatives have an option to ask for some people. The doctor who is on duty can allow,” Reddy said. He said the hospital had done its best but unfortunately could not save the 69-year old leader. “The matter is sub judice, as a one man commission is holding an inquiry. She was at the hospital for several days. From ward boys to technicians to nurses to doctors, every one took good care of her. There were doctors from other countries as well. We had high hopes she would recover. I even said she was well.”
“We have submitted all reports. I do not know the day-to-day developments. If they call us, we are ready to appear before the commission,” Reddy said.
