Indian doctors save life of Pakistani student

Orton · August 16, 2008, 2:45pm

At a time when tensions have flared up again between India and Pakistan, doctors in Delhi have saved the life of a young Pakistani engineering student by conducting a rare cardiac surgery.

A team of 11 doctors and staff at the Sir Ganga Ram Hospital has repaired 20-year-old Tayyab Niaz’s mitral valve (that controls the blood flow between the upper and lower chamber of the heart) to save his life.

Doctors said the surgery was “rare, tedious and needs more patience”.

“Tayyab Niaz underwent heart treatment in Pakistan two years back but the mitral valve was ruptured during the medical procedure. Pakistani doctors referred him here and we successfully repaired the damage. Now he is fine and ready to go home,” said Sujay Shad, the lead surgeon who carried out the surgery.

“We carried out detailed tests and conducted an open heart surgery over a period of 90 minutes on August 1. He was in a difficult condition and without this treatment he may have died in the near future. This is an Independence Day gift,” Shad told IANS.

Niaz, a mechanical engineering student in Multan, had developed a faster than normal heartbeat and underwent a procedure named radio frequency ablation at the Punjab Institute of Cardiology, Karachi, two years ago.

A catheter (small tube) had got stuck inside the heart during the radio frequency ablation and at the time of extraction of this catheter his mitral valve got severely damaged.

“Due to this damage, his heart started growing big, which means more weakness and less life span,” Shad explained.

He said Niaz had two options - either to get operated in Pakistan where surgeons would have changed his mitral valve or come to India and get the valve repaired.

A change in valve would have meant lifelong medication, more expenditure and staying away from games like cricket and football. Shad said as Niaz was a cricket enthusiast he could not have afforded a replacement.

B.K. Rao, a veteran doctor and chairman of the hospital, said: “Heart valve repair is a more complex operation; it takes more time and more effort. However, the results of a successful valve repair are gratifying.”

Shad, who had been working in Britain till 2005, said a successful repair of the valve needs only a month’s medication. The treatment cost Niaz, the son of a businessman, a little over Rs180,000.

“He underwent a check-up Aug 14 and everything is progressing fine. We have advised him three weeks’ rest and four weeks’ medication. After that he can lead a normal life like you and me,” he said.

Terming it as an Independence Day gift, Shad said: “Though Pakistan President Pervez Musharaff is speaking against India, we don’t see any difference between Indians and Pakistanis.”

“All people need love, affection and proper medical treatment. I don’t think the common man in Pakistan has any problem with India.”

Niaz, the son of a businessman, said though he has some pain in his chest even now, he is feeling much better. The doctors, staff and the people of Delhi are very nice, he said.

“I am taking back goodwill from India. Common people never hate Indians. I think it’s the politicians who create the problem.”

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ehtasab · August 16, 2008, 6:15pm

Re: Indian doctors save life of Pakistani student

Thank you for sharing the news, had I not heard the news I might have suffered stomach flu or something.

teggy · August 16, 2008, 7:38pm

Re: Indian doctors save life of Pakistani student

A good gesture. Much appreciated. :)

zobia · August 16, 2008, 7:50pm

Re: Indian doctors save life of Pakistani student

i hope that is what doctors suppose to do...or is it the first time indian doc saved someone's life?

gesto · August 17, 2008, 7:41am

Re: Indian doctors save life of Pakistani student

I see NARAYANA HRIDAYALAYA atleast seven times a week,when I travel on Bangalore -T.N highway. It reminds me of 2003........ :)
I am sure my fellow Pakis have also not forgotten this name.

calypso · August 17, 2008, 12:04pm

Re: Indian doctors save life of Pakistani student

A nice gesture.

Words_of_Quaid · August 18, 2008, 1:45pm

This is a very ungrateful message. Hope better grace will prevail

Amour · August 18, 2008, 2:01pm

Re: Indian doctors save life of Pakistani student

Punjab Institute of Cardiology, Karachi, two years ago.????

man this is in Lahore not in Karachi!

Spock · August 18, 2008, 2:06pm

Re: Indian doctors save life of Pakistani student

I have to agree with Zobia though, doctors are doctors, they are supposed to do their best to save their patients lives. With that said, much appreciated, thank you 'Indian' Doc.

ravage · August 18, 2008, 2:08pm

Re: Indian doctors save life of Pakistani student

the patient should have gone to India and said NO THANK YOU. I dont want indians treating me. that I think would be a form of Jihad.

Rocking_vibes · August 18, 2008, 2:54pm

Yeah...A jihad to kill himself, and eventually he would be awarded with 72 cherries, now he is stuck with his fat wife........damn Indians.

Spock · August 18, 2008, 3:58pm

Rav yar, not everyone can afford to goto the west.

ravage · August 18, 2008, 4:06pm

please yar, stay respectful of Muslims on this forum. thanks.

true. i dont blame the guy, it is understandable.

teggy · August 18, 2008, 4:44pm

Re: Indian doctors save life of Pakistani student

Now that we're done appraising the expert Surgeon. How much did the procedure cost him?!

Rocking_vibes · August 18, 2008, 5:55pm

Sorry yaar, I was not trying to offend anybody, just trying to add to your funny post to make it look funnier. My apologies to all the offended guppies.

Rocking_vibes · August 18, 2008, 5:57pm

A couple of grands in Sterling pounds.

Niksik · August 18, 2008, 6:11pm

Re: Indian doctors save life of Pakistani student

That's really nice that the patient's surgery was successful. As human beings we are all obligated to help each other. I'm sure if an Indian would have gone to Pakistan for treatment, Pakistani doctors would have done the same. I'm glad that sometimes we can see beyond politics and come down to basic humanity.

TeenDabbyWala · August 19, 2008, 4:07am

Re: Indian doctors save life of Pakistani student

I am surprised this is not more common. Why fly to other distant countries when expertise maybe found nearby?

gesto · August 19, 2008, 4:42am

Re: Indian doctors save life of Pakistani student

^Yes,true.

teggy · August 19, 2008, 5:33am

Absolutely true. When it comes to basic goodness and serving humanity, politics should be left aside.