While the platelets of incarcerated former prime minister Nawaz Sharif reached below 2000, his treatment is under way at the Services Hospital by a medical board comprising senior doctors.
Nawaz was rushed to hospital from the NAB custody after his health deteriorated. Sources said the medical examination conducted in Services Hospital revealed that Nawaz's platelet count fell dangerously below 2,000 whereas the normal range is between 150,000 and 450,000.
Doctors initially believed Nawaz Sharif had contracted dengue fever, but the official sources claimed that low platelet count may have been the results of medication Nawaz was taking. The Services Hospital's medical board transfused mega unit platelets into Sharif which raised the platelets to 20,000.
Leader of the Opposition in National Assembly and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shahbaz Sharif visited the hospital to inquire about his elder brother's health. He also met doctors to know about the former premier's health.
Nawaz's personal physician, Dr Adnan, was also present on the occasion. He had raised alarm about the former premier's deteriorating health, urging the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government to immediately shift him to a hospital for treatment.
Dr Adnan had informed National Accountability Bureau (NAB) officials regarding Nawaz's poor health on October 16, however, no action was taken on his letter, the sources said.
Talking to the media, Shahbaz Sharif said that the platelet count of Nawaz Sharif is critically low and he termed it a negligence of the authorities which needs to be investigated. "Thanks God, there was no bleeding from the nose and mouth. The family members and doctors are worried about the sudden fall in Nawaz Sharif's platelets," he said.
Shahbaz alleged that despite Nawaz's worsening health, he was not shifted to hospital earlier. He said Prime Minister Imran Khan will be responsible if anything happens to his brother.
On the other hand, Nawaz Sharif's son-in-law, Mohammad Safdar, alleged that Sharif was being slowly poisoned.
Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar has directed the health department authorities and the administration of Services Hospital to provide best treatment facilities to Muhammad Nawaz Sharif. He said that every possible medical facilities should be provided to Nawaz Sharif and the process of consultation with his personal physician should remain continue. He expressed hope that personal physician of Nawaz Sharif will also fully cooperate in this regard.
Punjab Health Minister, Dr Yasmin Rashid, met Secretary Health Momin Agha at Services Institute of Medical Sciences. The secretary informed the minister about the measures taken for the treatment of Nawaz Sharif.
Additional Secretary Dr Salman Shahid and Technical Adviser Dr Akhtar Rashid were also present on the occasion.
Yasmin Rashid said that Nawaz Sharif is being properly looked after under the supervision of senior doctors. She said that best treatment of Nawaz Sharif is being ensured by providing them best available medical facilities. She said that according to latest CBC report dengue virus could not be diagnosed in Nawaz Sharif. "A team of doctors have been deputed to provide him round-the-clock medical facilities without fail," she added.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2019