Quader’s heart ‘working fine without artificial support’

The Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump (IABP) machine, which was set up in the heart of ailing road transport minister and bridges minister Obaidul Quader, was removed on Thursday morning as his condition is improving gradually, reports news agency UNB.

“His heart is working fine without any artificial support,” Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) director Abu Naser Rizvi, who was accompanying the minister, informed media referring to the statement of cardiologist Philip Koh of Mount Elizabeth Hospital at noon.

The kidneys of the minister have been functioning better than before and the quantity of sedative has also been reduced, said Rizvi.

"The minister is also responding to doctors' call," he added.

He further said many of his infections are under control.

His wife Isratunnesa Quader and Md Mustafizur Rahman, Bangladesh High Commissioner in Singapore were also present at the briefing.

Quader, also general secretary to ruling Bangladesh Awami League (AL), was flown to Singapore on Monday for better treatment as per advice of renowned Indian cardiologist Devi Shetty.

The minister was admitted to the BSMMU on Sunday morning following breathing complications. Later, physicians conducted an angiogram and found three blockages in his coronary arteries.