From Abid Usman
LAHORE: Services Institute of Medical Sciences (SIMS) Principal Dr Mahmood Ayaz on Tuesday said that certain medical tests — including a genetic test — which have been recommended for former prime minister Nawaz Sharif are not available in Pakistan.
His remarks followed a meeting between a 12-member medical board, constituted to look after the former premier and decide the future course of his treatment. The medical board recommended that a genetic test be carried out after it was observed that Sharif’s platelet levels could not be raised to normal levels.
Meanwhile, Nawaz was discharged from the Services hospital and he was shifted to the Sharif Medical City Hospital in Jati Umra in Raiwind on an ambulance. Dr Ayaz said that Nawaz’s health, overall, had seen an improvement. “If he wishes to travel, he can.”
When asked about the ex-premier’s health indicators, he said that while Nawaz’s condition has seen a slight improvement, his CBC report has shown a decline in platelet levels yet again. His platelet levels now stand at 30,000 per microliter, he said.
Furthermore, his sugar levels have not been able to be stabilized in the past 15 days. According to the medical board, the former premier’s sugar levels are checked 5-6 times daily. The levels have spiked as high as 150-190.
Members of the board said Sharif’s medicines undergo a revision every day and that despite the use of steroids, his sugar levels are unable to be controlled. They said that the use of steroids is necessary to maintain the normal functioning of the kidneys. A low dose of these steroids is being given, the board added.
Surprisingly enough, instead of speaking for his brother’s health, Nawaz Sharif’s brother, Mian Shehbaz Sharif opted to express concerns over the ailment of his arch-rival of the past, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday demanded of the government to provide adequate medical facilities to Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari. Taking to the social networking website, Twitter, Shehbaz Sharif said that the government must ensure provision of the former president’s legal rights. He said, “Adequate medical treatment is Asif Ali Zardari’s basic human and legal right.”
Earlier on October 28, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari had demanded of the government to provide healthcare facilities to his father and former president Asif Ali Zardari at with those given to Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif. Talking to journalists, Bilawal had urged the government to provide best medical facilities to PPP co-chairman, who was currently facing mega corruption cases and in Adiala jail on judicial remand.
