ISLAMABAD: The medical board of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) will examine former president Asif Ali Zardari on Monday (today) to decide whether he needs a further hospital stay or can be discharged.

“Even though most test results of Mr Zardari are normal but the final decision will be taken by the medical board,” PIMS executive director Dr Ansar Maxood told Dawn.

Mr Zardari had been complaining of lower back pain, weakness and anxiety due to which he was shifted to PIMS from Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail on Oct 22 where a number of tests were carried out after which the hospital declared that he was out of danger.

Moreover, neurologist Dr Amir, medical specialist Dr Shajee and cardiologist Dr Naeem examined Mr Zardari.

Dr Maxood said that even though the platelet count of Mr Zardari showed 120,000, which is low but “it wasn’t unusual as the patient is taking a number of medicines”.

Platelets are the cells that circulate within one’s blood and bind together when they see damaged blood vessels. A normal platelet count ranges from 150,000 to 450,000 per microlitre of blood.

“The urology department has carried out an ultrasound [of Mr Zardari] and its report is expected on Monday,” Dr Maxood added.

PPP information secretary Dr Nafisa Shah alleged in a statement that Mr Zardari’s condition was critical and he was being denied medical treatment.

Former Senate chairman Nayyar Hussain Bukhari urged the government to provide medical facilities to Mr Zardari.

“Delaying tactics were used when shifting Mr Zardari from jail to hospital. Both NAB and the government will be responsible if anything happens to the former president of Pakistan,” he said.

Published in Dawn, October 28th, 2019