Chandy Oommen, son of former Kerala chief minister Oommen Chandy, told THE WEEK that his father’s condition is stable. The 79-year-old was admitted to a private hospital at Neyyatinkara in Thiruvananthapuram, on February 6, with high fever. He was diagnosed with pneumonia at the hospital.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan called the family last evening to inquire about Chandy’s condition. State Health Minister Veena George, upon the CM's instructions, visited the hospital today and spoke to Chandy’s daughter and the doctor who was attending to him.
Yesterday, the government had decided to form a medical board led by nephrologist Dr Manju Thambi, to ensure the best treatment for Chandy who is also a cancer patient. According to the medical bulletin, Chandy is currently on antibiotics, and his condition is better today.
Earlier, a controversy had erupted when some of the close relatives of Chandy—including his brother Alex V. Chandy—alleged that he is being denied modern treatment by his wife and son.
On February 5, Chandy came on Facebook Live from his son Chandy Oommen's profile and denied the allegations. In a post in his own Facebook profile, he also noted that his family and party are utilising all available options in modern medicine for his treatment. “I and my family have a clear idea about my disease and the treatment… The current controversy is creating great distress for me and my family.”
However, 42 relatives of Chandy filed a petition to the Kerala government on February 6, asking for government intervention in providing him “proper treatment”.
Chandy has not been keeping well since 2019. He was taken to Germany a few months ago after his ailment aggravated. Chandy, who has been representing Puthuppally constituency in the state assembly since 1970, was chief minister of Kerala twice.