President Zardari's friend Dr Asim Hussain diagnosed with cancer but stable

LONDON: Dr Asim Hussain, former federal minister and President Asif Ali Zardari’s most trusted friend, was diagnosed with stage-4 cancer, but he is stable, and his health is improving, getting treatment mainly in Pakistan but also in London.

Speaking to Geo News in the British capital, Dr Hussain confirmed that his cancer is currently stable and that he is receiving treatment in Pakistan, where he has access to the medicines and diagnostic facilities he requires.

Dr Hussain was with President Zardari and Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari in Austria last week. He flew to London with President Zardari and is currently staying with him.

Hussain, who was diagnosed with Stage Four cancer in London, said he was satisfied with the medical care he was receiving in Pakistan and was being treated with branded medicines.

“Everything is available in Pakistan — the medicines, the tests and even tests that may perhaps not be available in London,” he said.

He stressed the need for early cancer detection in Pakistan, describing the disease as a major and growing health threat. He said cytogenetics could play an important role in early diagnosis and disclosed that he was setting up a cytogenetics laboratory in Pakistan, which he believed would probably be the first of its kind in the country.

Hussain also said he wanted to remain away from politics and focus instead on serving patients and the public.

“I want to serve sick people and serve the public. Politics is not my cup of tea,” he said, refusing to comment on the recent political developments.

He said he was following political developments but remained hopeful that things would improve, adding that people often faced difficult periods in life but eventually came through them.

“I think we have nothing to worry about,” he said.

Dr Hussain said: “I hope that Pakistani doctors and the Government of Pakistan will work together because cancer has become a very serious threat. I have seen that every sixth or seventh patient is developing cancer. So, for diagnosis and, particularly, early diagnosis, it is very important that we take the necessary steps.

Dr Hussain's friendship with President Zardari dates back decades, with the two having known each other since their student days at Cadet College Petaro. Their relationship continued through Zardari's years in and out of government, and Hussain subsequently became one of his most trusted political and personal associates.