JAYA-MGR-APOLLO HOSPITAL

-Akshayaram Viswanathan September 22, 2016-  Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalitha was admitted into Apollo hospital. Let us look at a similar situation that took place almost 32 years ago in more detail.

October 5,1984- The then Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu M.G.Ramachandran(MGR) was admitted to very same Apollo hospital due to a respiratory problem. MGR was accompanied by his wife Janaki and his personal physician Dr.Subramani. At Apollo, MGR was given a super deluxe room in the III floor  and treatment was immediately started by a team of specialised doctors which included the chief doctor of Apollo, P.C.Reddy himself.


Though MGR wanted to keep his health issue a secret, the news became viral due to the sighting of the Chief Minister’s famous car parked in front of the hospital. This led to his fans and supporters gathering in front of the hospital gates demanding to know the health condition of their beloved leader.

Under pressure, Apollo hospitals made a formal press release about the CM’s health, saying  that MGR was admitted for his asthma problem and that he has been responding positively to the treatment. However, shortly after the press release, Tamil Nadu Ministers Nedunjezian and R.M Veerappan visited the hospital to enquire about the CM’s health condition. The tension was at its peak in Tamil Nadu as the Legislative Assembly election was scheduled just two months away in December.

October 6,1984- Answering the questions raised by Congress MLA Sithan at the Tamil Nadu assembly, Minister Nedunjezian explained about MGR's health condition and assured that the Chief Minister was recovering well. Around the same time, Dr P.C Reddy and his medical team issued a press release stating that an unknown substance in MGR’s lungs was removed by dialysis and that the Chief Minister is out of danger, but is required to rest for at least another week.

October 14,1984- After observing MGR’s health for one week, doctors revealed another shocking news that a blood clot in MGR's brain was causing less blood to be delivered to his kidney, creating complications. Shortly after the press release, famous neuro specialist Dr.Jagannadan was called and he clarified that MGR’s blood clot was not causing any neural problem,but was causing severe damage to both his kidneys. Following this, Apollo hospital saw visitors ranging from cinema celebrities and Ministers of State to the poorest of the poor who desperately wanted their leader to recover and rule them with good health.

October 16,1984- Prime minister Indira Gandhi flew down in her private jet and visited MGR at Apollo hospital, following which she held a press meet at Rajaji Bhavan, where she announced that the central government would extend maximum support for MGR’s recovery.

October 17,1984- Doctors from New York landed at Chennai in a private jet to treat MGR, following which Dr Breedman stated in a press meet said that the Chief Minister immediately needed a kidney transplant as both his kidneys were heavily damaged.

November 5,1984- MGR was flown to Brooklyn Hospital in New York for kidney transplantation which was successful. A video was released on all television channels in Tamil Nadu as a part of the election campaign to establish that the Chief Minister was recovering well after his operation.

December 24,1984-  Election results in Tamilnadu completely favoured ADMK, MGR won the election without addressing rallies or holding protests. ADMK and its alliance won a remarkable 195 seats and MGR won in Andipatti constituency with no one contesting in opposition party against him.

The credits to the story of the greatest comeback in the political history of Tamil Nadu goes to this exceptional man M.G.Ramachandran, we hope history repeats itself in favour of the lady too.

Jai hind

      

 Akshayaram Viswanathan