Zafrullah’s condition now stable

The health condition of Gonoshasthaya Kendra Founder and Trustee Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury, who tested positive for Covid-19 on May 24, is now stable.

"Oxygen is being given to Dr Zafrullah. As his condition is not deteriorating, we are hopeful of his recovery," Dr Mohib Ullah Khondoker, vice principal of Gonoshasthaya Samajvittik Medical College, told The Daily Star yesterday.

However, he said, as the condition of his lungs is not good, he is not totally out of danger.

Zafrullah, 79, was facing breathing difficulties on the night June 4th. He was then give oxygen. The next day, he was put on dialysis.

His condition improved and has remained stable. He was then given plasma therapy for the third time.

Since the detection of his infection, he has been undergoing treatment at the Gonoshasthaya Nagar Hospital.

Dr Zafrullah made significant contribution to the health sector of Bangladesh since the Liberation War in 1971. He was behind the country's drug policy that helped flourish the pharmaceutical industry.

A freedom fighter and physician, he has been demanding fast approval of Gonoshasthaya Kendra-developed rapid test kit for Covid-19 at the earliest.

The antibody test kit is of low cost and can help authorities with large-scale tests and isolation -- the two most important things in curbing the spread of coronavirus.