Ershad put on life support at military hospital: Minister

Dhaka, July 1 (UNB) – Health Minister Zahid Malik on Monday evening said Jatiya Party Chairman HM Ershad, now undergoing treatment at the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) here, has been put on life support as his condition turned critical.

Talking to reporters after vising Ershad at the CMH, the minister said, “His (Ershad’s) condition can be described as critical. He is on life support, and the overall situation is critical.”

He said all the possible treatment is being provided to Ershad at the CMH. “Everything now depends on the will of Allah. All should now pray for his recovery. Doctors said he is not in a condition that he could be sent abroad.”

Zahid Malik added, “Ershad is being given the treatment that he is supposed to be provided abroad. His health condition doesn’t permit to take him abroad. So, there’s no plan to send him anywhere.”

Mentioning that the Jatiya Party Chairman’s condition is improving, Malik said he will recover if the trend of improvement continues. “If his condition deteriorates further, there’ll remain nothing to do.”

Ershad’s younger brother and Jatiya Party acting chairman GM Quader and party secretary general Moshiur Rahman Ranga were present when the health minister was talking to journalists.

Earlier in the day, GM Quader urged all not to spread rumours over the health condition of his brother Ershad.

Speaking at a press conference at Jatiya Party Chairman’s Banani office around 1pm, he also said Ershad’s condition is stable and remains unchanged, but still not out of danger.

Ershad, also the leader of the opposition in parliament, was admitted to the CMH on Wednesday morning as his condition deteriorated.

The former military ruler has been suffering from various old age complications, including low haemoglobin and liver problem, high bilirubin and serious keen pain.