Publication: Cape Argus Issued: Date: 2009-03-10 Reporter: Angela Quintal

What's Wrong with Patient Z00132232?

 

Publication 

Cape Argus
Date

2009-03-10
Reporter Angela Quintal

Web Link

www.capeargus.co.za



Psychological factors may have contributed to Schabir Shaik's physical ailments, say two cardiologists who recommended medical parole last year.

Their view is presented in a two-page report to the head of the Medium B prison at Durban Westville, which details Shaik's medical condition from when he was first diagnosed with systemic hypertension in 2001, aged 44.

It also refers to Shaik's condition when he was first admitted to Durban's St Augustine's Hospital, 16 days after he was jailed in 2006. Shaik's medical condition was never raised in mitigation of sentence before Judge Hilary Squires, who found him guilty of corruption and fraud in June 2005. Nor did the family at first consider medical parole for him.

The September 2008 report was co-authored by heart specialists Professor DP Naidoo and Dr Sajidah Khan, of the University of KwaZulu-Natal's Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine. The report contains a list of 10 hypertensive and cardiac medicines administered to Shaik, in addition to his psychiatric medication.

The report notes that Shaik frequently used analgesics to obtain "some relief" from the severe headaches he suffered, which were related to poor blood pressure control. - Angela Quintal

With acknowledgements to Angela Quintal and Cape Argus.


Psychological problems and a shockingly unhealthy lifestyle.

Early to bed, early to rise make a young man healthy, wealthy and wise.

Plus a little exercise, moderate consumption of coffee, moderate consumption of alcohol, the most occasional of cigars - preferably not inhaled, no dodging of the salads, thin-based highest quality pizza just twice a month.

But our Z00132232 goes to be at 6 am, goes to work at 2 pm, sits and "works" from the Coffee Bar downstairs of the Royal Hotel, is not shy of the Johnny Walker Blue Label and coke, enjoys a regular cigar and other tobacco as well, eats pizza and pasta instead of salads every other day, hasn't been seen on an exercise bike for years, if ever.

Makes a middle-aged man seriously ill with systemic hypertension, non-occlusive coronary artery disease, peripheral vascular disease, dyslipidaemia, retinopathy and really bad headaches.

Some foolish medical practitioners think that these conditions are terminal.

But take away the causes and see how quickly the patient recovers.

Even a few rounds with Robin, whether on the golf course or not, would definitely do wonders for some of the medical factors, especially the psychological ones.

However, this might well lead to condyloma.

This is said not to be terminal.

However, it is likely to be terminal to conjugal carnal relations.

Polygamy is the indicated treatment of choice.