Nawaz Sharif to undergo tests for poisoning, hints report

Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif might underdo for toxicology screening for poisoning that will be ordered in London if no cause or cure is found of his unstable platelets, hints the leading University College Hospital and Harley Street Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon and Hematologists at Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital.

According to the report submitted on Friday before the Lahore High Court, written by Dr. David R Lawrence, “If the platelet count does not respond, he may be considered for a possible toxicology screen. We want to target a platelet count between 50-150 to allow safe treatment with antiplatelet therapy.”

The eldest son of the former prime minister, Hussain Nawaz raised suspicion while his father was in Pakistan that the family suspects that Nawaz may have been poisoned while in the custody of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

Dr. Lawrence told the court that he has examined Nawaz Sharif, 69 years of age, at his clinic in London.

He wrote: “He (Nawaz Sharif) suffers from various significant ailments and comorbidities. He has been reviewed by the Hematology Team at the Guy’s & St. Thomas’ Hospital and London Bridge Hospital and has most likely ITP, the trigger and underlying cause for which is unclear, but he is having a slow response to first and second-line therapies.”

The report further adds: “A PET scan was arranged at London Bridge Hospital under Hematology at London Bridge, he has to be investigated for his lymphadenopathy; a lymph node biopsy has been recommended to him after the scan. He initially did very well following his coronary artery bypass surgery but has had a troublesome circumflex vessel which has occluded on at least two occasions. The resultant effect has been persistent ischaemia in the lateral wall of his heart and NSTEMI.”

The report also adds that Dr. Chris Baker performed an angioplasty to this on 9th October 2017 but his symptoms are now recurrent.

The report says: “Cardiac MRI is booked via Chris Baker’s office. The team at the London Bridge has also arranged that he sees Professor Simon Redwood who I understand is going to repeat his coronary angiogram as a query proceed. Mr. Sharif is also due for a vascular referral to address the critical carotid artery stenosis (>80% Rt ICA, October 2019) which is a risk for stroke.

“He has to proceed with cardiac and carotid issues once he stabilises and gets clearance from the hematology team treating him. I will look to review him with the results of his cardiac scans/cath and clinical hematology consults.”

The report further adds that Nawaz will have to find time for “short walks at least twice daily. Mr. Sharif is currently undergoing investigations and is under constant clinical monitoring of the ongoing treatment which is paramount to stabilize his health, also requiring persistent follow up in the United Kingdom until these issues are finally addressed and he is able to resume day to day activity.”