Nawaz treatment methodology, place yet to be decided

LAHORE: Former premier Nawaz Sharif was brought to Sharif Medical City on Tuesday for detailed examination by a medical board comprising senior doctors from cardiology, nephrology, urology, medicine and other departments, who checked the PML-N supremo for over one-and-a-half hours.

Nawaz Sharif’s personal physician Dr Adnan Khan told the media the medical board examined diagnostic reports of Nawaz Sharif, but they could not reach consensus on the treatment plan. He said the assessment whether his treatment was possible here within six weeks time, given by the Supreme Court or not, was yet to be made. He said it was yet to be decided exactly what kind of medical treatment should be provided to Nawaz Sharif and where (inside the country or abroad). He said doctors detected that the blockage of two arteries leading to his heart was a serious concern, but they needed further analysis to decide whether the condition needed surgery or treatment through medication.

Dr Adnan said Nawaz Sharif’s doctors have so far conducted many tests at Sharif Medical City and a private hospital since his release from the Kot Lakhpat Jail after the apex court allowed him bail on medical grounds for six weeks. However, further tests were still needed to reach any conclusion, he added.

About the findings of doctors through tests, Dr Adnan said echocardiogram detected alarmingly less blood supply to upper portion of neck and brain of Nawaz Sharif, warning that 43 per cent less blood supply to neck and brain could prove dangerous. Doctors had also carried out an MRI of heart and kidneys, doppler tests study for assessing blood flow in arteries and to different parts of the body. The CT scan of chest and backbone and computed tomography of kidneys, ureters and bladder (CT KUB) for assessing the concentration of stones were also performed.

Doctors have also recommended a backup pacemaker and ICD (Implantable Cardioverter-defibrillator), a lifesaving device implanted in the body for patients at risk for fatal cardiac Arrhythmias. Nawaz Sharif also had Echo & Ultrasound for Kidneys along with Doppler studies for Carotid Arteries & Peripheral Vessels.

Strict security arrangements were made during his stay at Sharif Medical City. Police used force to prevent workers from coming near him while he was brought and taken back from the hospital. The guards pushed the workers trying to enter the health facility along the vehicle of Nawaz Sharif. Some workers including a woman fell down and got bruises.