Edhi to undergo surgery at SIUT today

Karachi: Thoughts, prayers and visits poured in from all corners of the country after the news of renowned humanitarian Abdul Sattar Edhi’s surgery, scheduled for today, was announced by his son Faisal Edhi, on Sunday.

Edhi's son while appealing for prayers for his father informed that he is to undergo a kidney operation, at the Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplant (SIUT), under the supervision of Dr Adib Rizvi.

Among those who visited in person to inquire after his health were Chairman Senate Raza Rabbani and Minister for Information Pervaiz Rashid.

Rabbani during his visit directed all concerned authorities to ensure Edhi was provided with all facilities required for his treatment to be successful.  

Visiting the humanitarian on directives of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Rashid expressed his best wishes and prayed for his early recovery.

Speaking to media personnel following the visit, he observed that Edhi had selflessly served humanity to an extent that his services would remain unmatched for years to come.

Senator Nihal Hashmi and Marvi Memon also accompanied Rashid on the occasion.

Faisal thanked all those concerned including Aseefa Bhutto Zardari who had met with Edhi a week ago.

Referring to Edhi’s refusal from accepting Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Senator Rehman Malik’s offer of sponsoring his treatment abroad, Faisal said the entire family was humbled by the gesture but they were satisfied with the treatment the philanthropist was receiving at the SIUT.

“Dr Adib Rizvi is like family to us,” he added.  Edhi had during Malik’s visit to the Edhi Foundation, on June 10, had politely declined former president Asif Ali Zardari’s offer for treatment abroad in favour of treatment in Pakistan. The man who many claim restored their faith in humanity was diagnosed with kidney failure in 2013, but had not been able to receive a transplant; he had since been on dialysis.