Edhi declines Zardari's offer for overseas treatment

Philanthropist refuses to leave Pakistan for treatment despite offers

Philanthropist Abdul Sattar Edhi, who was diagnosed with Kidney failure, has declined an offer from former president Asif Ali Zardari to be flown abroad for medical treatment.

PPP Senator Rehman Malik paid a visit to the Edhi Foundation chairman at a hospital in Karachi, where he was on dialysis, on Thursday with Zardari's proposal, spokesperson Anwar Kazmi told The Express Tribune.

“Let me take you to London or Dubai [for your treatment] if you [would allow me],” said Malik on behalf of Zardari.

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Edhi, however, declined the offer, indicating that he preferred to receive treatment in Pakistan.

"I will not leave Pakistan and go anywhere for treatment," Kazmi quoted Edhi as saying.



“I told him that if he wishes, we will bring an air ambulance and take him abroad to a hospital of his choice. I told him I would also go with him,” the senator told reporters.

“[I told him] 'God forbid, if your health gets deteriorated we will have to take you abroad' but he insists on getting treatment at a government hospital in Pakistan.”

Women's rights activist Tehmina Durrani, who is currently collaborating with the Edhi Foundation on food and heat stroke relief centres in Ramazan, also tweeted Edhi's response to the offer.

"Today Edhi Saheb rejected Asif Zardari's offer for medical treatment abroad," she tweeted.

Today Edhi saheb rejected Asif Zardaris offer for #medical treatment abroad# EDHI is PAKISTAN.

— Tehmina Durrani (@TehminaDurrani) June 10, 2016

In the past, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and real estate tycoon Malik Riaz has also offered to help Edhi in his treatment but he turned them down as well.

Edhi was diagnosed with kidney failure in June 2013 and was told by doctors that he would have to be on dialysis for the rest of his life.

“His kidneys have failed but now his condition is under control,” Dr Adeebul Rizvi of Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT) explained.

The doctor stressed that the philanthropist was in good health. “Edhi sahib does the work on his own…he visits his centre too.”



Edhi, adding to Dr Rizvi’s statement, had said “I am fine; I spend 24 hours at the centre.”