–PML-N moves resolution for sending Nawaz Sharif abroad for medical treatment
Punjab government on Wednesday decided to extend former prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s stay at the Services Hospital, where heart specialists from the Punjab Institute of Cardiology (PIC) would conduct his medical checkup in view of the report of a medical board, according to media reports.
“Decision for Nawaz Sharif’s further treatment has been taken in view of the medical board’s report. Any decision in future would also be taken on the recommendation of doctors,” Punjab Chief Minister spokesperson Dr Shehbaz Gill said on Wednesday.
The spokesperson rejected the Sharif family’s claim that the former PM wanted to return to jail despite doctor’s insistence. “The Sharif family should stop this drama of Sharif not ready to go to the PIC and wanting to go back to Kot Lakhpat Jail.
“In this matter, Sharif family has no say. He is a prisoner and he would be dealt with as per the rules and not on anybody’s desires and wishes,” he said, adding that the Sharifs should not make the matter a political stunt.
He said that both the Services Hospital and the PIC share their boundary wall. Doctors from the PIC would examine Nawaz Sharif at the Service Hospital and there is no need to shift him to the PIC. “Any decision regarding his treatment would be taken on the advice of concerned doctors after his medical examination,” he said.
Earlier, reports surfaced that the former premier had refused to be shifted to PIC on the grounds of having a heart ailment and has requested to be transferred back to Koth Lakhpat Jail. The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supreme leader maintained that he was taken to the PIC before being shifted to the Services Hospital, hence it does not feel appropriate for him to be wandered around, he added.
Medical board’s supervisor Professor Mahmood Ayaz in an informal discussion with the journalists said that the board has recommended the government to shift Nawaz to a hospital with a cardiac ward on an immediate basis. “We have completed all tests, medical check-up of Nawaz. We have referred back the case to the interior ministry. We are now waiting for their response,” he said.
Dr Adnan, the personal doctor of Nawaz, claimed that he has not been given the former premier’s medical reports yet. “I have severe concerns about Nawaz’s medical condition. His treatment should have been given to a cardiac expert – a facility which has not been provided yet,” he said.
PML-N MOVES RESOLUTION FOR SENDING NAWAZ SHARIF ABROAD FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT:
A PML-N lawmaker on Wednesday moved a resolution in the Punjab Assembly seeking permission for Nawaz to travel abroad for medical treatment.
The resolution, submitted by PML-N MPA Hina Pervez Butt, stated that Nawaz is currently suffering from a heart disease and needed special care.
“There are no cardio specialists in the special ward of Services Hospital Lahore and the government has utterly failed in providing medical facilities to the PML-N supremo,” it added.
“Nawaz should be permitted to travel abroad as all his medical records and doctors are located outside the country,” the resolution said.
It further called on the government to take the measures required on humanitarian grounds and remove Nawaz’s name from the Exit Control List (ECL).
On Tuesday, Dr Mehmood Ayaz, the head of the medical board formed to examine Nawaz said that the former premier’s illness can be treated in Pakistan.
While speaking to media, he said that the PML-N supremo is suffering from high blood pressure, diabetes and issues related to the blood arteries. The medical examination had been carried out in detail by heads of different medical departments, he added. However, he said, as per the privacy law, he could not share the details of the former premier’s medical reports but the Punjab Home Department had been recommended to shift Nawaz to a cardiac hospital for further examination.
On February 3, ex-PM’s medical test results had shown kidney stones, and doctors had recommended a routine surgery to get rid of them. On February 2, Nawaz was shifted to the Services Hospital from the Kot Lakhpath Jail after approval given by Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar on the recommendation of the medical board constituted to monitor Nawaz’s health. Nawaz underwent multiple medical tests, including CT scan and ultrasound, at the hospital whereas a medical board also examined his medical reports. However, strict security arrangements were also made whereas additional police were also deployed outside the hospital.
Previously, two special medical boards of the Allama Iqbal Medical College/Jinnah Hospital, Lahore, and the PIC, Lahore, examined Nawaz at the jail. The AIMC/Jinnah Hospital board had recommended that Nawaz should be shifted to hospital for “optimal treatment”. However, the government, instead, had opted for the constitution of the third board, comprising army doctors. The board after a thorough examination had recommended the government to shift Nawaz to the hospital. Following the examination, the board had sent the report to the Home Department, urging the Punjab government to shift the ex-PM to a hospital so he could avail better health facilities.
The board, which was formed on January 25 by the Punjab government, comprises cardiac experts from Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology (AFIC), Punjab Institute of Cardiology (PIC) and Rawalpindi Institute of Cardiology (RIC). The six-member special medical board includes Dr Hamid Sharif Khan, Dr Muhammad Talha Bin Nazir, Dr Shahid Hameed, Dr Sajad Ahmed, Brigadier Abdul Hameed Siddiqui and Brigadier Azmat Hayat.