Quader stable, flown to S'pore

Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader was flown to a Singapore hospital for better treatment as his condition became stable yesterday. 

An air ambulance of Singapore's Mount Elizabeth Hospital carrying Quader took off from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka around 4:12pm, said Group Captain Abdullah Al Farooq, director of HSIA. 

Quader's wife Isratunnesa Quader and Prof Abu Nasar Rizvi, director (planning and development) of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, accompanied him, said AL sources.

The air ambulance landed in Singapore at 8:00pm (Bangladesh time), they added.   

Earlier, renowned Indian cardiologist Dr Devi Shetty examined Quader at BSMMU where the AL leader had been undergoing treatment since Sunday morning and fighting for life with blockages in three coronary arteries. 

“After assessing different prospects, Dr Devi Shetty opined that this is the optimum time to shift… It would be relatively more risky to shift him if he develops further complications,” said BSMMU Vice Chancellor Prof Kanak Kanti Barua.

Prof Kanak was briefing reporters at the hospital on the Indian cardiologist's observation.  “After getting Dr Shetty's opinion, we informed the matter to the honourable prime minister. Then she asked us to shift him.”

Dr Shetty was informed about every detail of the minister's illness. He also learnt about all the medical steps taken for Quader, added Prof Kanak.

Dr Shetty landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport around 12:45pm after Sheikh Hasina requested the BSMMU authorities to bring the famous cardiologist to examine Quader.

Prof Kanak said the minister's condition had been “completely stable” since yesterday morning. “But he is not out of danger,” he added. 

Also read: Quader battles for life

“It was not possible to send him to Singapore [on Sunday] because of his condition. But doctors of Mount Elizabeth Hospital today [Monday] said they are now more confident about his safe transportation to Singapore.”

Syed Ali Ahsan, chairman of cardiology department at BSMMU, at the briefing said Quader's high blood sugar, electrolyte imbalance and several other problems have come down to normal range.

“He is also moving and giving signals to remove ventilation. It seems he is doing well,” Ahsan said. “Considering all these aspects, it can be said that his condition is now stable and improving.”

Asked what Dr Shetty told them about the treatment of Quader, Kanak said, “Dr Shetty said whatever has been done here [at BSMMU] by your cardiac team was an excellent job.

“Dr Shetty told Mrs Quader that your husband is lucky as this was an excellent team and took excellent measures.

“He [Dr Shetty] also told Mrs Quader that nothing better could have been done even in Europe and America than what they have done here in treating Quader.

Dr Devi also told the BSMMU doctors that different complications might arise later as Quader has chronic lung disease, apart from diabetes and blood pressure problem.

Prof Kanak said Quader's blood has also developed infection. 

Earlier on Sunday, a three-member medical team from the Mount Elizabeth Hospital reached Dhaka by an air ambulance and examined Quader.

Quader was admitted to the CCU of BSMMU on Sunday morning following his breathing complications. Doctors found three blockages in his coronary artery through an angiogram.