SP Balasubrahmanyam off ventilator, doctors happy with progress, says sister

Veteran singer SP Balasubrahmanyam has been removed from ventilator support and his health is showing improvement, his sister SP Sailaja has said in a voice note.

SP Sailaja has confirmed in a voice note that her brother SP Balasubrahmanyam (SPB) is on the road to recovery and he has been relieved of the ventilator support.

Last Friday, legendary playback singer SP Balasubrahmanyam was shifted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of MGM Healthcare, Chennai after his health condition deteriorated. He was admitted to the hospital on August 5 after he tested positive for the coronavirus.

In a voice note, she shared on Tuesday, she said: “He’s getting better with each passing day and the progress is evident. Doctors are very happy. He has been taken off the ventilator but he’s still being closely monitored. He’s also able to pass urine freely. I know that the whole world is praying for him and he’ll come out of this situation very soon.”

The news of SPB being hospitalized and battling for life sent shock waves across the nation. Several film personalities like Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan, Dhanush and Mahesh Babu among others wished for his speedy recovery.

Rajinikanth, who enjoys a long association with SPB, on Monday, shared a video in which he wished for the singer’s speedy recovery. “For over 50 years in many languages, SP Balasubrahmanyam has mesmerized audiences with his voice. I’m glad to know he is on the road to recovery after being hospitalized and becoming critical. I pray for his speedy recovery,” Rajinikanth said in a video message on Monday.

On Sunday, updating about his dad’s health condition, his son SP Charan said in a video message on Facebook, “Dad was shifted from the 3rd floor ICU to an exclusive ICU on the 6th floor. The pleasant news is there is some mobility. He is moving around a little bit and signed thumbs up to the doctors and is able to recognise them. He is still on life support, he is breathing a little more comfortably than a few days back. Doctors see it as a very good sign that he is on a road towards getting better. There is a lot of effort from the medical team and he will take a long time for recovery. But, we are all hopeful.”