London doctor, Dr Richard Beale: Jayalalithaa’s condition extremely grave

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa’s condition is “extremely grave”, a London-based doctor who is assisting doctors in Chennai’s Apollo Hospital said today.

“The situation is extremely grave but I can confirm that everything possible is being done to give her the best chance of surviving (the cardiac arrest),” Richard Beale said in a statement.

“She is being cared for by a highly expert multidisciplinary team and is now on extra corporal life support,” Dr Beale added.

“Despite Jayalalithaa’s progress, her underlying health conditions inevitably meant the risk of further problems remained,” Dr Beale said.