Zardari released from hospital, doctors recommend physiotherapy

• President Zardari admitted to a hospital in Karachi on April 1.
• Zardari showing signs of improvement in his treatment: doctor.
• Says president tested negative for COVID-19 on a rapid test.

KARACHI: President Asif Ali Zardari has been discharged from hospital after showing signs of recovery, his physician Dr Asim Hussain confirmed on Friday.

President Zardari was admitted to a hospital in Karachi on April 1 after his health deteriorated. He remained under treatment for more than 10 days. 

Zardari had been shifted from Nawabshah to Karachi on the night of Eid ul Fitr for medical care.

Earlier, Dr Asim told Geo News that President Zardari was showing signs of improvement in his treatment.

"The president has tested negative for COVID-19 on a rapid test but remains under the care of infectious disease specialists," Dr Asim said in a phone conversation with Geo News.

The physician added that the president was undergoing physiotherapy as part of his recovery, according to his physician, and the president was expected to remain hospitalised for another couple of days.

Doctors barred any visitors to meet President Zardari during his stay.

President Zardari tested positive for COVID-19 on April 2 and has since remained in isolation under close medical supervision, with multiple diagnostic tests conducted to monitor his condition.

On April 3, Dr Asim updated the media that the president was receiving medical care at a private hospital in Karachi under the care of infectious disease specialists.

"... the recent blood test reports are promising," Dr Asim informed the media.

“Infectious diseases department experts examine President Asif Zardari three times a day,” he said, adding that shifting him from Nawabshah to Karachi for treatment was a good decision.

Dr Asim had further noted that visits were restricted as a precaution due to COVID-19, the virus President Zardari tested positive. 

In a statement last week, senior provincial minister Sharjeel Memon refuted negative reports regarding Zardari's health and stated that the president's condition was improving.

Memon said that reports suggesting that President Zardari was being shifted to Dubai for medical treatment were not true and that the latter would soon recover completely.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif enquired about the health of President Zardari via a telephone call.

The premier prayed for the early recovery of the president, adding that prayers of the entire nation were with the president.

National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq also held a telephone conversation with President Zardari to inquire about his well-being.

The NA speaker expressed his best wishes for the president’s health and prayed for his swift recovery. During the conversation, Sadiq conveyed his hopes for Zardari’s full recovery.

Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori had also contacted President Zardari's physician Dr Asim Hussain to inquire about the head of state's health and wish him well.