FROM ABID USMAN
LAHORE: Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s health remains unstable on Sunday after there was a sudden drop in his platelet count, sources at Services Institute of Medical Sciences said.
Reports by local media outlets state that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader’s lungs have been affected due to which he cannot be discharged from the hospital.
During the day, Nawaz’s mother and sister visited him at the hospital whereas a dedicated team of 12 doctors from the Punjab Institute Cardiology (PIC) has been assigned to look after him. Nawaz, who cannot travel by air due to low platelet count, has said that he wishes to remain in Pakistan either way.
On Saturday, the media speculated that the PML-N leader would be shifted to Sharif Medical Complex; however, no such development has taken place while the reports remain refuted.
Nawaz was rushed to Services Hospital from the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Lahore detention centre Monday night after his health condition suddenly deteriorated.
Earlier, he was shifted from Central Jail Kot Lakhpat to NAB Lahore building at Thokar Niaz Beg after the Bureau got his 14-day physical remand on October 11 in connection with the Chaudhry Sugar Mills corruption case investigation. Paperwork for Nawaz’s bail would be completed within the next few days.
A six-member medical board, headed by Services Hospital Principal Mahmood Ayaz, on Thursday diagnosed the reason for Nawaz Sharif’s declining health.
“It is acute immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), a bleeding disorder, in which the immune system destroys platelets,” a board member said, adding doctors were hopeful that his condition would improve in a few days. Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid, while speaking to the media on Saturday, said that Nawaz Sharif’s disease has been identified and he was being given treatment.
“He suffered a minor heart attack but his heart muscles were not damaged,” she said, while talking to the media.
Rashid said that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) should not do politics over his health.
“Nawaz Sharif’s platelets have increased to 45,000 and his blood pressure and sugar is in control,” she said, adding that upon recommendations of a medical board, the ex-premier was being given medicines for rehabilitation.
His previous and the current ECG medical report doesn’t show any difference,” she stated, adding that he has been suffering through heart ailments for a long time.
Agencies adds: The government has acquired services of 14 physicians of Punjab Institute Of Cardiology (PIC) for medical treatment of ailing former prime minister Nawaz Sharif. The doctors will provide services to treat Nawaz Sharif suffering from cardiac problems, who is currently admitted to Services Hospital in Lahore. The roster of the doctors will be continued till November 2 in accordance with the list.
Earlier on Saturday, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) had granted former prime minister Nawaz Sharif bail on medical grounds in the Al-Azizia case.
On October 25, the report of the 10-member medical board on former prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s health was also submitted in Lahore High Court (LHC) which later approved his bail on medical grounds as well. “Nawaz Sharif’s health condition was improved last night but has further deteriorated now,” according to the medical report submitted by Dr Mehmood Ayaz, the head of the medical board, in the court. “Sharif is suffering from scores of diseases and his condition has deteriorated presently,” the report said. Replying a question of the bench, Dr Ayaz said that the board has not reached to any final conclusion with regard to complete medical treatment of the former prime minister Nawaz Sharif.
“His condition is precarious and his health will become stable when the platelets count will improve to 30,000. He could travel after the blood platelets count rises to 50,000,” the medical board head told the court.
“Will the NAB oppose the bail plea after doctors report,” the court asked. “The doctors are saying, his condition is critical, the NAB should clearly inform whether it will oppose the bail,” the court further said. “If the doctors consider that he could not be treated in Pakistan, then there is no other way,” NAB prosecutor responded to the court.
