'Jaya starts speaking, to walk soon'

Apollo Hospitals chairman Dr Prathap C Reddy on Friday said that Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa has started speaking well and would walk soon.

He said Jayalalithaa is undergoing static and active body physiotherapy. “Now, the next thing is to see that she (Jayalalithaa) stands up and walks, and then she is ready to go home,” Reddy said.

Jayalalithaa was admitted to Apollo Hospitals on September 22 following fever and dehydration. Since then, she has been constantly monitored by experts and specialists from the UK and AIIMS.

Reddy said that most of the time Jayalalithaa is breathing without respiratory support, and now she has started talking with the help of a speaking device.

Explaining that it is not easy for people to talk with a speaker (device) since they have to hold their breath, Reddy said for now Jayalalithaa is only using the speaker for a few minutes. “It is only temporary,” he said.

Asked about Jayalalithaa’s discharge, Reddy said: “She is absolutely well. She has a strong mind and she has to decide.”