Doctors brief Shehbaz, Maryam on Nawaz’s condition

Conduct more tests, discuss previous reports; to prescribe treatment by Monday


Our Correspondent February 17, 2019
Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif. PHOTO: REUTERS/FILE

ISLAMABAD: The medical treatment of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif at the Lahore Jinnah Hospital continued for the second day on Saturday as a medical board conducted his tests and held consultations over his previous day’s tests.

Nawaz’s brother and daughter, Shehbaz Sharif and Maryam, also met the former premier who was shifted from Kot Lakhpat Jail to the facility in view of his heart issues on Friday. They also met the medical board members to receive their input on the patient’s health.

Talking to media later, the Allama Iqbal Medical College Professor Dr Arif Tajamal said, “The board will decide about Nawaz’s treatment by Monday after his previous medical history is received.”

He said the current medical board would not only give results, but its recommendation would also be final.

Dr Tajamal said the hospital provides treatment for all sorts of diseases but in some cases a patient could be referred to another hospital. According to the interim reports, the Jinnah Hospital could offer treatment to Nawaz, he said.

He confirmed that a few tests were conducted but did not share names of the tests, saying treatment plan would be finalised in light of these reports.

Further tests may be required as the process continues, he added.

To a question regarding including Nawaz’s personal physician in the board, he said he would include any help from any source but the recommendations would not be made on the advice of any other source.

He maintained that the board consists of professional doctors whose only purpose was the treatment of the patient and nothing else, adding that Nawaz had come to them after receiving treatment and his health was fine.

He pointed out that it was unbecoming of a doctor to interfere unnecessarily.

Dr Tajamal said echography was not an emergency test and was conducted on the doctor’s advice.

He said Nawaz was present in the administrative area of the hospital and the system was functioning well without any obstacles.

“No special directives have been received from the jail administration for Nawaz’s treatment,” he said.

The Jinnah Hospital Medical Superintendent (MS) Dr Asim said they met with Sharif’s family and they were satisfied with the treatment being provided while all facilities required were being given.

Maryam in an unofficial conversation said the doctors had extended Nawaz’s stay at the hospital. Different tests and scans of her father were being carried out and his echocardiogram was under way when she entered the hospital, Maryam said in a tweet.

Mian Mohsin Latif, a cousin of Maryam, also met the former PM and later expressed lack of trust in the treatment being provided. “Nawaz Sharif is sometimes sent to the Jinnah Hospital and sometimes to the Services Hospital. Tests are being carried out but it is not known what treatment has to be provided.”

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