Ex-health minister Nasim’s condition deteriorates again

Former health minister Mohammed Nasim's physical condition deteriorated last night as he developed a lung infection.

Earlier in the afternoon, Dr Raziul Haque, a doctor at the Bangladesh Specialized Hospital where the Awami League MP is being treated, said Nasim had "slightly" improved as his blood pressure had stabilised and his blood was clotting.

The 13-member medical board led by Dr Kanak Kanti Barua, a renowned neurosurgeon and Vice-Chancellor of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University held a meeting around 8:00pm and found that Nasim's lung has been infected and he is also suffering from fever.

Dr Raziul Haque, a neurosurgeon at the Bangladesh Specialized Hospital who was present at the meeting, told The Daily Star of this development.

"His condition has become more critical as his lung got infected. Besides, he has diabetese and high pressure. The medical board has prescribed some new medicine for him," Dr Raziul Haque said.

Asked about the possibility of sending Nasim abroad for better treatment, Raziul said he was not in a position to be taken abroad.

Infected with Covid-19 and later having suffered a stroke, Nasim has been in a "deep coma" since June 5.

His son Tanvir Shakil Joy, also a former AL lawmaker, told media on June 5 that his father had undergone a successful surgery after suffering from a stroke.

On June 1, Nasim was admitted to the Bangladesh Specialized Hospital in the capital's Shyamoli as he was feeling unwell. Later, he tested positive for coronavirus.

Later doctors at the hospital said Nasim was tested negative twice for Covid-19.