‘Asim Hussain can be discharged if Rangers doctor gives clearance’

Rangers assistant director for medical services appeared on court’s notice and filed Dr Asim’s medical reports

KARACHI:

The Sindh High Court (SHC) has once again ordered that the detained chairman of the Sindh Higher Education Commission, Dr Asim Hussain, may be discharged from the hospital if the Rangers doctors are satisfied with his health condition.

“However, they shall strictly comply with their assurance and undertaking for providing all possible medical treatment,” ordered an SHC division bench, headed by Justice Sajjad Ali Shah, on Wednesday.

The bench passed this direction while disposing of an urgent application filed by the detainee’s wife, Dr Zareen Hussain, who had requested the court order the Rangers authorities not to remove her husband from the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD) until he fully recovers from a suspected heart attack.

During Wednesday’s proceedings, Rangers assistant director for medical services Dr Faisalul Islam appeared on court’s notice and filed Dr Asim’s medical reports. He asserted that the petitioner’s husband is not undergoing any treatment whatsoever in NICVD and was admitted to the facility after he complained of symptoms that could be related to a heart problem.

All test reports are clear and he is only under observation, said Dr Islam, adding that Asim was shifted from NICVD’s emergency ward to a private room on Tuesday, which reflects he does not require any treatment. He added that the Rangers have no control over the hospital and cannot take any responsibility if Asim suffers any damage at the facility. He suggested shifting Asim to the jail ward at Civil hospital given that he can use his political connections to influence doctors at NICVD.

Dr Nida Hussain, the detainee’s daughter, opposed the interpretation of various reports made by Dr Islam and insisted that Dr Hussain needs medical treatment. She pleaded a medical board be constituted to examine him and his custody should not be given to the Rangers until this board approves his discharge.

Representing Dr Asim’s wife, Advocate Abid S Zuberi contended that the very fact that Dr Asim was admitted at NICVD shows that he was suffering from a heart ailment and cannot be allowed to move unless the medical board permits his discharge.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 24^th, 2015.