Anamalai slams state of hospitals under DMK Govt after patient's death due to ICU power failure

Amid mounting criticisms of the declining standards of government hospitals under the ruling DMK government in Tamil Nadu, Anamalai, the state's BJP Chief, expressed deep concern on November 27. “It is disheartening to see the deteriorating state of Government hospitals under the Corrupt DMK Govt. While a DMK Minister without portfolio arrested for Corruption prefers a private hospital for treatment, a patient lost her life due to the non-availability of power backup in a critical area such as an ICU in a government hospital. This is a reality check to TN CM’s tall claim,” said Anamalai.

Anamalai's statement highlighted the contrast between the high-profile treatment sought by the arrested DMK Minister, V Senthil Balaji, ‘currently without portfolio,’ at a private medical facility and the unfortunate incident in a government hospital where a patient lost their life due to a power backup failure in a critical area like the ICU.

Balaji, arrested in connection with a money laundering case by the Enforcement Directorate in June, had his judicial custody extended until December 4 by a city court.

During a recent court hearing, the ED presented a counter affidavit in response to Balaji's petition seeking copies of seized documents during the investigation. The agency clarified that all relevant documents had been submitted to the court and furnished to the minister.

This development follows earlier observations by the Madras High Court in September, questioning the continuance of V Senthil Balaji as a Minister ‘without portfolio’ in the MK Stalin-led cabinet. The court, while disposing of petitions filed by advocates and a former AIADMK MP, emphasized the importance of good governance and purity in administration, stating that Balaji's role without a portfolio served no purpose aligned with these principles.

Balaji's arrest in June related to a money laundering case linked to a cash-for-jobs scam during his tenure as the Transport Minister in a previous AIADMK regime has sparked ongoing debates regarding his position within the DMK government.