Chennai: Now it is official. What the AIADMK leaders were saying about Amma has been officially endorsed by Apollo Hospital, where chief minister J Jayalalithaa has been admitted since September 22. After a gap of 11 days, the Apollo Hospital issued a health bulletin on Friday evening saying that the chief minister was “interacting and progressing gradually.”

In a statement, the Apollo Hospital said, “she continues to be under treatment and observation for all vital parameters, respiratory support and passive physiotherapy.

The team of experts of the Critical Care Group, Senior Cardiologists, Senior Respiratory Physicians, Senior Consultants of the Infectious Diseases Department, Senior Endocrinologist and Diabetologist of Apollo Hospitals have bed giving treatment and care to the Chief Minister, said the hospital management in the statement. “The Chief Minister is interacting and progressing gradually,” said Dr N Sathyabhama, director medical services, Apollo Hospitals.

The silence of the Apollo Hospital since October 10, when it issued the last bulletin was baffling. However, AIADMK leaders who have been interacting with doctors and officials, have been telling media persons that Amma was getting better.

But this is the first confirmation from hospital doctors attending on her.

The medical bulletin led to a lot of cheer among her supporters, many camping and praying outside the hospital main gate.

However, it is possible that Jayalalithaa may require a lot of rest to recuperate and return to active duties of the office of the chief minister. Which is why, the governor handed over all CM’s portfolios to finance minister O Panneerselvam and asked him to hold fort, as per the CM’s advise.