By Express News Service

NEW DELHI: 'Afghan girl' Sharbat Gula, who gained global recognition after being featured on the cover of the National Geographic in 1984 and 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 complications.

Sharbat, in her 40s now, was deported from Pakistan after it was found that she was residing in the country for the last three decades with false documents. In 1984, when snapped by award-winning photographer Steve McCurry, she was residing in Pakistan. Sharbat along with her three sons was received in Afghanistan by President Ashraf Ghani following her deportation from Pakistan.

Sharbat will reportedly be treated at a Bengaluru-based hospital. Following India’s offer to treat Sharbat free of cost, Afghanistan Ambassador to India Dr Shaida Abdali thanked the government for it. “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.

Large numbers of Afghans come to India for medical treatment every year. Earlier this year, a special pact was inked between Kabul and nine renowned Indian hospitals to provide economical access for Afghan patients to health services. As per the agreement, Afghan patients are now billed as per charges applicable to Indians.

Indian hospitals would also provide assistance to Kabul in areas of capacity building of the country’s health professionals, pharma sector, telemedicine, tele-radiology, medical tourism, consultancy and public private partnership.