Doctors advise Nawaz against travelling

Former premier submits three-page medical report to LHC

LAHORE:

The doctors doing the medical treatment of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif in London have restrained him from travelling and visiting public places and advised him to stay very close to the healthcare facilities where he has been getting his treatment.

This is the gist of a three-page medical report – signed by David Lawrence, consultant cardiothoracic surgeon in London – which the counsels for Nawaz Sharif have submitted in the office concerned of the Lahore High Court (LHC).

The report was submitted a week after the UK government rejected Nawaz’s request to extend his visa. This rejection was described as a major blow to the convicted politician who was given a rare permission by the LHC on Nov 16, 2019 to get medical treatment abroad in view of a debilitating health condition.

The LHC had allowed Nawaz to go abroad for four weeks, and noted that the duration of his stay could be extended in light of his medical reports. The former premier – who was serving a seven-year jail term at Kot Lakhpat jail prior to the LHC order – has been in London since.

According to the report, the cardiac stress (PET/CT) scan results, as submitted earlier, are indicative of significant areas of ischemia more pronounced on stress. There is extensive inducible ischemia involving mid to basal inferolateral myocardial extending into the inferior wall.

“The perfusion serve is significantly reduced in typical circumflex distribution and also in the vessel supplying basal anterolateral myocardium. There is also the appearance of the transient ischaemic dilatation suggesting significant ischaemic burden that amounts approximately 22% of the myocardium,” it said.

This symptom, it said, is indicative of significantly reduced blood supply to the former premier’s heart in the circumflex territory and impaired functionality.

“I mentioned in my previous reports that Mr Sharif is advised cardiac catheterisation and subsequent management given the significant risk of worsening of his heart disease but once his comorbidities (ITP, hypertension, diabetes and chronic kidney disease) were stabilized by a multidisciplinary approach.

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“Mr Sharif developed ITP during his incarceration and his response to the first and second line therapies was unsatisfactory, a stable platelet count within the medically prescribed range, was paramount to ensure the safety of diagnostics and treatment,” the physician wrote.

The report said apart from Nawaz having developed carotid artery’s stenosis, he was assessed to have had an exacerbation of his coronary artery disease and deterioration of renal functions.

“The intention was indeed to proceed with the management of his cardiac and carotid disease once he was given clearance from haematology and nephrology specialties.”

It said a strong emphasis was laid on Nawaz Sharif’s lifestyle to aid his recovery.

“He was advised to eat healthy, exercise regularly and manage his stress to the maximum extent possible in order not to have a negative bearing on his health".

“He has mentioned to me that he was kept in solitary confinement for a prolonged period of time during his imprisonment in Pakistan. If this were true, I share his concern that this could have contributed negatively towards his health, both physically and psychologically".

“My opinion regarding Mr Nawaz Sharif’s travel to Pakistan and its implications on his health remains the same as reiterated in my earlier reports".

The report said Nawaz has been getting medical treatment in London where he is in care of the doctors and paramedical staff who are aware of his medical history.

Moreover, the facilities in London provide the best of care as is important to address his complex health issues. Nawaz, it said, needs to take serious precautions being a clinically extremely vulnerable person.

Meanwhile, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Farrukh Habib on Wednesday said that PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif would return home on next flight if given an NRO-like concession.

Addressing a match concluding ceremony of the Inter-media Independence Cup, he said it was being told that Nawaz Sharif could not return to the country from London due to the coronavirus related restrictions, but, in reality, the PML-N sought an NRO (National Reconciliation Ordinance) for him.

He also recalled Maryam Nawaz’s statement in which she covertly demanded an NRO like concession to let his father escape jail terms here.

With additional input from APP