- Former premier may require medical tests not available in Pakistan, doctors say
- Sharif's platelet count requires urgent management, says personal physician
LAHORE: Pakistan’s ailing former prime minister, Nawaz Sharif, was discharged from Services Hospital, where he remained under treatment for about two weeks, and was expected to be taken to the Sharif Medical City Complex for further treatment, one of his doctors confirmed while talking to a group of journalists here on Tuesday.
“Nawaz Sharif will soon be admitted to the Sharif Medical City Hospital as he has been discharged from the Services Institute of Medical Sciences today,” Dr. Mahmood Ayaz, head of the 12-member medical board constituted by the Punjab government to take care of the former three-time prime minister, told the media.
An ambulance with the emblem of Sharif Medical City was seen outside the Services Hospital. Sharif’s younger brother, Shehbaz, was also present at the health care facility.
The medical board thoroughly examined the former prime minister on Tuesday morning and discovered that his platelet count was once again going down.
“Sharif’s platelet count is on a decline again. We cannot introduce blood-thinning medicines since they will aggravate the cardiac issue. The risk of spontaneous bleeding still remains,” Dr. Adnan Khan, his personal physician, told Arab News.
Earlier in the day, doctors suggested more medical tests, including a genetic examination which is not available in Pakistan.
“Certain medical tests — including a genetic test — is necessary to diagnose his disease,” Dr. Ayaz told the media after the board’s meeting. “Genetic test facility is not available in Pakistan and we have conveyed this to all concerned including his family,” he added.
Commenting on the possibility of Sharif’s journey abroad, he added: “If he wishes to travel, he can.”