DMK chief Karunanidhi's health condition declines, says Kauvery Hospital press release

CHENNAI: Monday started with a trickle. The numbers swelled after Kauvery Hospital released a health bulletin saying that there was a ‘decline’ in DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi’s health condition in the evening. Flags fluttering in the evening breeze, amidst chants, prayers and slogans the silent neighbourhood of the hospital was abuzz.

The hospital bulletin said that the next 24 hours would be crucial for doctors to predict a diagnosis as his age-related ailments were posing a challenge to the process of maintaining vital organ functions. “He is on continuous monitoring and being treated with active medical support. His response to medical interventions over the next 24 hours will determine his prognosis,” the bulletin said.

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This was released just a few hours before Union Minister for Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari was scheduled to visit Karunanidhi. He was greeted by MK Stalin, Kanimozhi and Dayanidhi Maran who were present at the hospital since Monday morning.

Hundreds of supporters, who had gathered outside the hospital premises last week, began to thin down as the leader’s health improved over the days. They returned on Monday evening to pray for his well-being.
A group of DMK ministers, members of the Karunanidhi family, actors and politicians visited the hospital to enquire about the leader’s health.

For the first time since his hospitalisation, the DMK patriarch’s wife Dayalu Ammal visited him earlier on Monday. She arrived in a vehicle usually used by Karunanidhi. For quite sometime, she is not keeping well due to age-related issues.

Former Chief Minister and DMK leader Karunanidhi was shifted from his residence in Gopalapuram to Kauvery Hospital on July 28 after a fall in his blood pressure. The hospital, however, on July 31 said an extended period of hospitalisation would be necessary due to age-related  decline in his general health, altered liver function and haematological parameters.

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His health condition which deteriorated three days after hospitalisation, was normalised with constant medical support round the clock.

Two days after the Chennai city police reopened the TTK Road for traffic, they blocked it once again on Monday evening as the crowd began to increase in number. A majority of party cadre and supporters, who went back home last week as Karunanidhi’s health improved, flocked back to hospital in increased numbers. “I went back home with the confidence that my leader will surpass all hurdles. But even now I will not lose hope. The sun is sure to rise again tomorrow,” said Murugaesan, a DMK cadre from Pallavaram.