LAHORE: The condition of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif is stable, says the head of the medical board at the Jinnah Hospital.

“According to the results of his tests, Nawaz Sharif’s condition is stable. However, he needs treatment,” Prof Dr Arif Tajamal, head of five-member (fifth) special medical board constituted by the Punjab government, told reporters on Monday.

To a question about his (Sharif) further stay in the hospital, Dr Tajamal said the government would have to take decision in this regard. He claimed that Mr Sharif was satisfied with his treatment in hospital.

According to another doctor, “Nawaz has significant coronary artery disease (Ischemic Heart Disease) with multiple co-morbidities as confirmed by various special medical boards formed by the Punjab government. Deterioration of kidney functions has further complicated the disease and any future treatment options are to be proceeded with extreme caution.”

He said Mr Sharif required extensive specialised evaluation, aggressive treatment and intensive management primarily addressing the cardiac and renal issues.

On the other hand, Sharif’s personal cardiologist Dr Adnan Khan said former premier’s treatment had not begun at the Jinnah Hospital. “Mr Sharif’s treatment cannot be started without the recommendations of the (fifth) medical board,” he said and added Sharif had cardiac complications.

Mr Sharif, who is serving a seven-year imprisonment in the Al-Azizia Steel Mills corruption case, was shifted to hospital on Friday from Kot Lakhpat jail for cardiac treatment. This is his third shifting to hospital since his detention at Kot Lakhpat jail.

The PML-N has objected to the shifting of Sharif to the Jinnah Hospital which, it claimed, “lacks facilities to treat heart patients.” The Jinnah Hospital has been declared a ‘sub-jail’ for Mr Sharif by the Punjab home department during his stay.

Meanwhile, PML-N president Shahbaz Sharif and Maryam met Nawaz Sharif in hospital on Monday.

Shahbaz said ‘best treatment’ should be given to Nawaz Sharif.

“There should not be a one-minute delay in the treatment of Nawaz Sharif,” he said.

Shahbaz also visited the Data Darbar shrine and offered fateha.

Published in Dawn, February 19th, 2019