Setback in DMDK leader Vijayakanth’s health in the last 24 hours, informs hospital

Tracheostomy procedure

Medical bulletin from MIOT hospital. (Sourced)

According to hospital sources, the actor developed a breathing issue during his admission and he was put on ventilator support whenever needed, during the treatment.

When asked about the kind of treatment, the sources told South First that the doctors have planned for a tracheostomy surgical procedure, as the actor’s upper airway is blocked and air cannot get into the lungs.

“The patient already has a glottic pathologic condition and due to his age and the face that we are unable to provide him a full-time ventilator, his family members have consented to a tracheostomy procedure,” the source said.

The 71-year-old actor-turned-politician was admitted at the hospital in Manapakkam, Chennai, on 18 November, following symptoms of fever, throat pain, and cold.

During the admission, the party statement said that Vijayakanth, fondly called “Captain”, was taken to the hospital for a routine check-up and is likely to return home in a day or two.

However, a few media outlets said that Vijayakanth was on ventilator support. Dismissing the news as a rumour, the party statement asked the caders and the public not to believe it and said that he would return home in a day or two.

pic.twitter.com/LTfUGXfUr8

— Premallatha Vijayakant (@imPremallatha) November 20, 2023

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Prayers pour in

Following the medical bulletin, the DMDK cadres gathered in front of the hospital. However, the DMDK high command instructed the functionaries not to visit the ailing leader, citing infections and privacy.

Meanwhile, sources told South First that Health Minister Ma Subramanian spoke to the management at MIOT International and the treating doctors and enquired about Vijayakanth’s health. The minister also spoke to the family members and assured any help that was needed.

Paatali Makkal Katchi (PMK) leader Anbumani Ramadoss wished the DMDK leader a speedy recovery.

உடல் நலம் பாதிக்கப்பட்டு சென்னை மியாட் மருத்துவமனையில் மருத்துவம் பெற்று வரும் தேமுதிக தலைவர் விஜயகாந்த் அவர்கள் விரைவில் முழுமையான உடல்நலம் பெற வேண்டும் என்ற எனது விருப்பத்தை தெரிவித்துக் கொள்கிறேன். அவர் வழக்கமான மக்கள் பணிகளை மேற்கொள்ள வேண்டும் என்றும் விரும்புகிறேன்.…

— Dr ANBUMANI RAMADOSS (@draramadoss) November 29, 2023

Taking to X, the PMK president said that he wants Vijayakanth to return with full health and carry out regular public works.

BJP State President K Annamalai, taking to X, also said that he was deeply saddened to hear the news that Captain Vijayakanth had been admitted in the hospital for further treatment and wished for his speedy recovery.

தேசிய முற்போக்கு திராவிட கழக நிறுவனத் தலைவர் கேப்டன் விஜயகாந்த் அவர்கள், மருத்துவமனையில் தொடர் சிகிச்சையில் அனுமதிக்கப்பட்டுள்ள செய்தி அறிந்து மிகுந்த வருத்தமடைந்தேன்.

அனைவரின் அன்புக்கும் உரித்தான கேப்டன் விஜயகாந்த் அவர்கள் விரைவில் பூரண நலம் பெற்று, மக்கள் பணி தொடர, எல்லாம்…

— K.Annamalai (மோடியின் குடும்பம்) (@annamalai_k) November 29, 2023

Further, actors and producers from the Tamil film industry also wished the DMDK leader a speedy recovery.

Meanwhile, Vijayakanth’s wife Premalatha, in a video message posted on the politician’s X handle, stated that there is no need to panic or fear regarding the medical bulletin issued by the hospital.

“The doctors and other medical staff are taking care of his health perfectly,” she said.

She further stated that “the prayers of the people and goodness he did will save ‘Captain’. He will recover and will return home soon and will meet the cadres soon,” she stated.

கேப்டன் நலமாக இருக்கிறார். விரைவில் முழு உடல் நலத்துடன் வீடு திரும்பி, நம் அனைவரையும் சந்திப்பார்.

– திருமதி. பிரேமலதா விஜயகாந்த் pic.twitter.com/P9iHyO7hzG

— Premallatha Vijayakant (@imPremallatha) November 29, 2023

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First actor to become Opposition Leader

Vijayakanth, who had a strong fan base, floated the DMDK in September 2005 in Madurai and contested the Tamil Nadu Assembly polls for the first time in 2006. Though the party won only a single seat, it gained an 8.38 percentage vote share in the election. Vijayakanth was elected as MLA from the Virudhachalam constituency.

In the next election, the actor-turned-politician had an election alliance with the AIADMK and won 21 seats. Vijayakanth became the Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly.

Known for his fiery speeches, Vijayakanth faced a setback in the following elections after a direct clash with former chief minister late J Jayalalithaa. In the meantime, his health deteriorated and his public appearances reduced. Following this, the party started to lose out on its vote bank.

As an actor, Vijayakanth has acted in a number of films, including superhits like Pulan Visaranai (1990), Uzhavan Magan (1987), Chinna Gounder (1992), Senthoora Poove (1988), Vaidehi Kathirunthal (1984), Amman Kovil Kizhakale (1986), Vaanathaippola (2000), and Captain Prabhakaran (1991), the movie that earned him the moniker “Captain”.