The names of the illustrious medical practitioners carrying out checks on President Saparmurat Niyazov, reportedly all from Munich and Augsburg, have been released. Some of them bear scrutiny via Google, though others have evidently traded away their credibility and exposure. Likewise, several of them are already quite familiar with their patient as they have performed operations and check-ups on him before. Though I am no medical specialist, I am somewhat surprised by the presence of two foot specialist among their ranks. Could this be a subtle clue?
The list of names follows, a couple preceded by pictures and succeeded by comments made earlier this year to the Turkmen State Information Agency:

Doctor S.U. Pak, Cardiosurgeon

Professor Klaus Parhofer, Physician

23 February, 2005: “I would like to express my deep gratitude to Mr President for the high confidence expressed to German medicine by the head of the Turkmen state. I was lucky to be a member of the group of the specialists carrying out the pre-operation examination of Saparmurat Niyazov. As a physician, I can prove that all vitally important and other organs are in good state. We believed that the operation would be successful and its completion has proved that. I am absolutely sure that there are no problems that could change the situation. Taking an opportunity, I would like to send the best wishes to President Saparmurat Niyazov and all Turkmen people from the workers of Munich University that I represent.”

Professor Klaus Tchiakovsky, Anaesthetist

Professor Klaus Libich, Traumatologist-Orthopaedist

23 February, 2005: “Taking an opportunity, I would like to send the Turkmen people the best regards and best wishes from the University in Erlangen. Being an orthopaedist I have thoroughly examined the musculo-skeletal system of Mr President and I am happy to state that his joints and muscles are in a good state. I sincerely wish Saparmurat Niyazov good health and long and active life and the Turkmen people welfare.”

Professor Wolf Haans, Dermatologist:

23 February, 2005: “I also came from Munich and represent its dermatological clinic. My task was an examination of the state of the skin of Mr President that had good results. I would like to send my best wishes to both Mr President and all Turkmen people.”

Professor Johannes Zenk, ENT Specialist

Professor Ulrich Schaler, Ophthalmologist:

23 February, 2005: “I am very happy that we with Professor Muller managed to make such a successful operation thus rendering the necessary aid to the President of Turkmenistan. In his remarkable book Ruhnama Saparmurat Niyazov tells about the necessity to build bridges between peoples. I think that this joint work of the German specialists and our Turkmen colleagues has become a vivid example of such a bridge of co-operation.”

Reinhard Ignor, Orthopaedist

Professor Rudolph Walter Ott, Dentist

23 February, 2005: “I came to Turkmenistan with a large group of the German doctors and despite the fact that we represent different directions of medicine, one common aim, to preserve the health of the President of Turkmenistan united us. We wish President Saparmurat Niyazov soon recovery and start of performing his duties again as well as good health and welfare to all Turkmen people.”