Heart surgery: Doctors remove tubes from Nawaz’s chest

US Secretary of State John Kerry expressed good wishes for the health and complete recovery of the prime minister.

ISLAMABAD/ LAHORE: Doctors on Wednesday removed two drain tubes from Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s chest a day after he underwent an open-heart surgery in London.

Punjab CM Shehbaz Sharif, who is in London, said he had met with the prime minister who is recovering well.

Nawaz underwent successful open heart surgery in a London hospital on Tuesday, his second cardiac procedure in five years. Doctors grafted four arteries in an operation for "perforation of the heart", a complication from a 2011 procedure.

Maryam Nawaz, the prime minister’s daughter, tweeted on Wednesday that doctors had visited the premier on Wednesday morning to review progress. “[They] removed two drain tubes from his chest, which has alleviated discomfort,” Maryam said, adding that Nawaz was also “made to sit briefly.”



She added that the premier, who remained in the intensive care unit on Wednesday, is expected to be shifted to his room today (Thursday).

“Overall, his surgeons [are] very happy with his progress.” Asked whether the prime minister was communicating normally, Maryam responded in the affirmative.

“Yes, though his throat sore from the tubes.”

Meanwhile, Shahbaz said that he had spoken to Nawaz who thanked those who prayed for the success of his operation. The Punjab chief minister, while addressing a meeting via video link from London, added that the premier will soon return to Pakistan after recovering.

Kerry wishes Nawaz health

United States Secretary of State John Kerry Wednesday expressed good wishes for the health and complete recovery of the prime minister.

According to statement issued by the Finance Ministry, US Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Olson called Dar to convey Kerry’s message.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 2^nd, 2016.