Pakistani student dreams on after illness

ISLAMABAD－While undergoing a crucial treatment for a life-threatening brain condition at a hospital in North China's Tianjin, a Pakistani student communicated to his family back home, "I'm OK, please don't worry."

Coming from a mountainous northern area in Pakistan, Ali Husnain had big dreams to serve his people when he got the scholarship to study from the Chinese government.

However, in September, while studying for his PhD in control science and engineering at Tianjin University, Husnain's whole world came crashing down around him. He was diagnosed with deadly viral encephalitis, caused by the herpes simplex virus, which attacks the human brain and can result in significant brain damage or death.

"When I was moved to the hospital by the management of Tianjin University, Chinese doctors told my family, who were in constant contact with the hospital administration, that I had a slight chance of survival and that they were exploring every single option to save my life," the 28-year-old says.

Fortunately, the unremitting efforts of the doctors paid off and, after undergoing major surgery and staying more than a month in an intensive care unit of the hospital, Husnain's life was saved.

He spent more than 60 days in hospital recovering from the illness. And his family decided to bring him back to Pakistan where he will be surrounded by loved ones while getting his remaining treatment.

"I cannot thank the Chinese government, university administration and the medical staff enough for the extraordinary kindness, love, care and support they have extended toward us, reflecting the strong bond between our two countries," the student, who is now in Islamabad, says.

Expressing his immense gratitude to the Chinese government and the medical staff, Ali Muhammad, father of Ali Husnain, says he really appreciates the way his son was taken care of in China.

"China is like a second home for us. That's why I sent my son there for his higher education. The Chinese side also hired a full-time nurse for him to fully ensure his safety and health," Muhammad says.

"Besides providing huge financial support, they are still in contact with us and always inquire about my son's condition or if we are facing any financial problems regarding treatment," he adds.

Muhammad believes that China has set a remarkable example of humanity, professionalism and sincerity, which he says will further cement the iron-clad friendship and people-to-people relationship between the two nations.

The deadly brain disease, it seems, is unable to shatter Husnain's dreams, spirit and ambitions. He is determined to beat his illness and take up his studies again once he has fully recovered.

"I'm expecting to return to my study in China. I want to learn from the world's best teachers and want to carry on my research work in state-of-the-art laboratories ... The time I spent with my classmates, teachers and others in China was the best of my life. I hope I see them all again soon," he says.

Xinhua