DMK MLA J Anbazhagan succumbs to COVID-19 on birthday

DMK legislator J Anbazhagan, who was put on ventilator after he tested positive for COVID-19, died on Wednesday (June 10) morning.

Incidentally, he turned 62 on Wednesday. He is survived by his wife and two sons.

“The 61-year old MLA, who has been fighting for his life with severe COVID-19 pneumonia rapidly deteriorated early this morning. Inspite of full medical support, including mechanical ventilation at our COVID-19 facility, he succumbed to his illness,” Dr Rela Institute and Medical Centre said in a statement.

Remidisiver, a broad-spectrum antiviral medication used widely for treating COVID-19 was also brought to Chennai with the help of Telangana Governor, Dr Tamilisai Soundarajan to treat him, however, his condition worsened due to multi-organ failure.

The senior DMK leader in the state capital, representing Chepauk-Triplicane constituency was admitted to Dr Rela Institue in Chrompet on June 2 after he complained of severe acute respiratory distress.

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His COVID PCR test was positive at the time of admission, the hospital had said last Thursday.

He was initially administered oxygen therapy through a facemask, and later on, put on ventilator support as his respiratory distress worsened, the hospital had said.

Anbazhagan, who was among the party district secretaries in the state capital and a senior functionary had undergone a liver transplant about 15 years ago.

Being multifaceted, he also tried his hands in Tamil cinema as a producer and distributor.

With his passing away, the strength of DMK in Assembly now stands at 97 with the total number of seats in the assembly being 234.

Condolences have poured in from different political quarters including from DMK chief ML Stalin.