Jayalalithaa moved out of ICU, shifted to normal ward of Apollo Hospital

Tamil Nadu CM has been in the hospital since Sept 22 after complaining of fever and dehydration

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa was on Saturday shifted from the Intensive Care Unit to a special ward of Apollo Hospital in Chennai.

"Puratchi Thalaivi Amma shifted from ICU to normal ward in Apollo hospital today," the AIADMK tweeted.

The hospital had on Friday said Jayalalithaa's "mental functions are absolutely normal" and that she could leave for home as and when she wanted to.

The 68-year-old AIADMK supremo was also "living beautifully" without ventilator, but respiratory support was being given to her periodically to ensure her lungs did not collapse, Apollo Hospitals Chairman Pratap C Reddy had said.

Asked by reporters when Jayalalithaa could resume her official responsibilities, Reddy had said "responsibilities at that level are to guide and direct. I suppose that she can do well even now".

"Her mental functions, I can assure you, are absolutely normal," he had added.

Reddy had said Jayalalithaa had "recovered completely" and that "she is doing well". Jayalalithaa had been admitted to the hospital on September 22 after she complained of fever and dehydration. Specialists from New Delhi's AIIMS, besides some from London, have been treating her since.

Since her hospitalisation, state ministers and AIADMK cadres have been organising special poojas at various temples across the state, praying for her speedy recovery.