NEW DELHI: Famed Afghan national Sharbat Gula, who was deported from Pakistan to Afghanistan last week, will be travelling to India for free medical treatment after she was found to be suffering from Hepatitis C and other health issues.
Afghanistan Ambassador to India Dr Shaida Abdali thanked Indian government for the offer.
“The Iconic Afghan Sharbat Gula will soon be in India for medical treatment free of cost - Thank you India for being a true friend!,” Abdali tweeted.
Gula, in her 40’s was deported after it was found that she was residing in Pakistan for last three decades on false documents. Gula along with her three sons was received in Afghanistan by President Ashraf Ghani.
It is reported that Gula will be treated at a Bengaluru based hospital. She gained global recognition after her picture was featured in National Geographic in 1985 while she was residing in Pakistan.
Large numbers of Afghans come to India for medical treatment. Earlier this year, a special pact with inked between Kabul and nine renowned Indian hospitals to provide economical access for Afghan patients to Indian health services.
As per agreement, Afghan patients are now charged as per the charges applicable to the Indian patients. The Indian hospitals would also provide assistance to Kabul in areas of capacity building of country’s health professionals, pharma sector, telemedicine, tele-radiology, medical tourism, consultancy and public private partnership.