Jayalalithaa using a speaker temporarily to speak: Apollo

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa was admitted to the hospital with fever and dehydration on September 22.

Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa is returning to normalcy and all her vital organs are functioning well, Apollo Hospitals said on Friday.

The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) leader, who underwent a tracheostomy after a severe lung infection, is now speaking for a few minutes at a time using speakers, a new health update said.

Hospital chairman Pratap C Reddy told the media that Jayalalithaa was shifted out of Intensive Care Unit as there were no health complications.

"With tracheostomy, she can't speak. She is speaking with the help of a speaker which is only temporary," he said.

When asked if the tracheostomy will lead to speech complications, Reddy said the Tamil Nadu CM will be able to "speak well soon".

He added that Jayalalithaa is now able to breathe 90 percent of the time without ventilator support.

The 68-year-old was admitted to the hospital with fever and dehydration on September 22.