Chughtai Lab distances itself from 'tampered' image of Nawaz's medical report

Published March 24, 2019
Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif is seen in this file photo. — AFP/File
Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif is seen in this file photo. — AFP/File

Lahore's Chughtai Lab on Saturday night posted a statement, clarifying its position on what it called was an attempt to target former premier Nawaz Sharif through "mockery by using insulting remarks in an amendment to his medical reports".

Social media, particularly Twitter, remained abuzz on Saturday about an apparently altered medical report of PML-N's supreme leader. An image of a lab test report bearing patient identity number 13001-19-104183295 and name M Nawaz was circulating on social media. In the image, someone had replaced the residential address on the report with a phrase saying, "Please return Pakistan's looted money and freely live anywhere. Regards @endlessquest92."

Image of an altered medical report shared by a Twitter user
Image of an altered medical report shared by a Twitter user

A large number of people, particularly PML-N workers and supporters, used hashtag #BoycottChughtaiLab to record their protest against the incident. Many started raising questions upon the credibility of medical reports from Chughtai Lab, saying that if one part of the report could be altered, so could the rest.

According to the lab, online profile of one of its patients was tampered and modified without permission. "Twitter user @endlessquest92 has admitted online to this act," the lab Twitted.

Also read: Maryam thanks govt as complaints about Nawaz's 'deteriorating health' are addressed

The lab further clarified that patient results can be accessed on their servers by using patient identity information that is printed on lab reports. "That is why photos of lab reports should not be shared on social media," it added.

In a series of Tweets, the lab mentioned that using patient's information, online reports can be accessed, whereas patient address and other profile information can also be changed.

"In today's episode, someone has accessed the patient's profile and edited the address field."

The lab said that the patient's online lab record has been restored to original condition. The incident has been reported to the Federal Investigation Authority's (FIA) cyber crime wing, it added.

In its press release, the lab administration made it clear that they are not associated with any political party. The lab also vowed to take steps to further strengthen the security of online reports to avoid record tampering in the future.

No senior PML-N leader has yet commented on the incident.

'Nawaz’s kidney function has deteriorated'

Nawaz Sharif is undergoing seven-year imprisonment in the Al-Azizia Mills corruption case. The government claims that he is not ready to be treated in any hospital in the country as he wants to go to London for treatment. The PML-N has accused the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf government of indulging in politics over Sharif’s health.

The former premier spent around 10 days in Jinnah Hospital, Lahore, last month. He refused to get further treatment at the hospital after the Islamabad High Court rejected his petition seeking suspension of his sentence in the Al-Azizia reference on medical grounds.

Maryam Nawaz, after meeting her father at Kot Lakhpat jail on Saturday, said the former prime minister’s kidney function has deteriorated.

She said Sharif’s condition was “serious”.

“Just got back after meeting MNS [Mian Nawaz Sharif]. His doctor’s concern was not unfounded. The blood tests done yesterday reveal a further raise in his CREATININE levels which means his kidney function has deteriorated. His kidney disease is already at stage 3. The pain in the flanks persists,” she said in a tweet.

In view of deterioration of Sharif’s renal function, the authorities were arranging for a specialist to examine/evaluate him at the jail, she had said.

“Presence of MNS’s personal physician during the examination is vital. A written request to the Home Office in this regard has been dispatched,” she said.

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