‘Quader diagnosed with artery blockage; shifting abroad not possible now’

-- Quader diagnosed with 3 blockages in coronary artery

-- Suffers heart attack

-- Preparation taken to send him abroad

-- Doctors say he cannot be moved right now

It is not possible to shift Road, Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader abroad right now, doctors have said.  

“Quader is not out of danger yet. So, it is not possible to shift him right now,” said Prof Syed Ali Ahsan, chairman of the cardiology department of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) where Quader was admitted with coronary artery blockage.

The BSMMU chairman was talking to reporters after Quader, also general secretary of ruling Awami League, was diagnosed with three blockages in his coronary artery.  

While talking to reporters, BSMMU’s Vice Chancellor Prof Kanak Kanti Barua confirmed that Quader suffered heart attack while undergoing treatment at the hospital.

Quader, also general secretary of the Awami League, complained of breathing problem after Fazr prayers and then was taken to the BSMMU, Abu Naser, senior public relations officer of Roads and Highways Division, told The Daily Star.

He was shifted to the Coronary Care Unit (CCU) soon after he was taken to the hospital, said the VC.

The blockages were found following an angiogram, said Syed Ali Ahsan.

Earlier in the day, the BSMMU chairman said “His health condition is now better than in the morning. But the situation is still critical. He will be under observation for 72 hours.”

He was immediately taken to BSMMU and admitted to the Coronary Care Unit (CCU), Abu Naser said.

Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud went to visit Quader in the morning and told reporters that Obaidul would be taken to abroad for better treatment.

All measures have already been taken in this regard, he added.

Meanwhile, President Abdul Hamid visited ailing minister Obaidul Quader at BSMMU this afternoon, said his Press Secretary Joynal Abedin.