The Indian High Commission in Islamabad on Friday issued visas to an ailing Pakistani infant for emergency treatment for heart disease in India, along with his family.
Pakistani national Ken Sid had made a desperate appeal to Minister for External Affairs Sushma Swaraj on social media last week to allow his three-month-old boy Roohan to be treated in India for heart ailment. Ms. Swaraj responded by promising to issue the visa and said a child should not suffer.
The family had been trying to get a visa for weeks. “He does not even know what is happening between India and Pakistan,” Ken tweeted, while making an appeal to the Indian Minister.
Huge support
Ken’s appeal was supported by scores of Indians on social media who urged the Minister to order issuance of visa. “No, This child will not suffer. Please contact Indian High Commission in Pakistan. We will give the medical visa,” Ms. Swaraj tweeted to Ken on May 31 following which the Indian High Commission issued the visas.
“It is heartening to see humanity prevailing despite many differences. Thank you for your efforts. Humanity prevails! God bless everyone,” Ken tweeted after he got the visa. He even posted a thank you message on behalf of his son Rouhan. “I thank you all specially those who helped me to get through this process. Your prayers are always needed. God bless you all. Roohan Ken Sid,” he tweeted.
Pakistanis frequently travel to India for medical treatment due to lack of health facilities and quality medical treatment in the country. Dawn website claimed that Indian hospitals like Apollo in Delhi have previously reported receiving around 500 patients from Pakistan every month. Pakistani patients also fly to Chennai, which is considered the centre for any heart-related treatment.
In 2015, five-year-old Basma from Pakistan had been treated for an emergency liver transplant surgery in India.
