Ailing Jatiya Party Chairman HM Ershad has been put on life support as his condition has deteriorated, his Deputy Press Secretary Khandaker Delwar Jalali said today.

The former president, who is now undergoing treatment at the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in Dhaka, was put on life support at 4:10pm this afternoon, Khandaker Delwar Jalali said.

The health condition of Ershad has deteriorated, his brother GM Quader said earlier today.

“For the last four days, his condition remained unchanged, but today his condition deteriorating. Several complications have surfaced,” GM Quader, also the acting party chairman, told journalists after visiting Ershad at CMH.

“At this moment, we have nothing to do other than praying for improvement of Ershad’s health,” he said.

“The doctors here have been taking care of Ershad cordially and sincerely to ensure the best possible treatment of the JP chief,” Quader also said.

Asked whether Ershad will be taken abroad for treatment, Quader said they have sent all medical papers of Ershad to Singapore and the next course of treatment will be decided based on the advices of the doctors from Singapore.

Ershad, now 89, was admitted to CMH on June 26 and kept on oxygen support since June 30.

The former military ruler has been suffering from various health-related issues over the last nine months.