Jatiya Party Acting chairman GM Quader on Monday urged all not to spread rumours over the health condition of his brother HM Ershad, now undergoing treatment at the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) here.
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.
At the beginning of the press conference, GM Quader voiced annoyance over rumours spread through the social media over the 89-year-old Jatiya Party Chairman’s death, and advised all not to believe the false news on social media.
“The country’s people are worried over his (Ershad’s) health condition and they’re trying to get the latest information in this regard. They’re also praying for him. Under the circumstances, some people are making people anxious by unnecessarily spreading rumours. That’s why we think it is necessary to come up with the right information about him,” he said.
Quader also called upon journalists not to run any news without getting information from him or from any responsible party leaders.
“I also request the Facebook users not to create any confusion and share unauthentic information about his health condition and the technical issues.
We call upon all not to spread any rumour without having any information or knowledge on his health condition as it hurts people and creates problem.”
He said, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) will also try to provide information about the Jatiya Party chief’s health condition whenever it is necessary. “If we don’t come up with any latest information, you should think his condition remains unchanged. “We’ll try to inform you right away whenever any problem or crisis emerges.”
Observing Ershad’s health in the morning, Quader informed that the doctors said his condition is unchanged. “As per their (doctors) opinion, this is a good sign. They had an apprehension that his health condition might deteriorate. As it didn’t, his condition is now stable.”
He said, his brother’s lung infections have eased and he had to give oxygen under pressure on Sunday due to respiratory problem. “But now oxygen is given for two hours under pressure and then normal oxygen for two hours. The doctors said if the current trend continues, he’ll be able to breathe normally.”
The Jatiya Party acting chairman, however, said his brother’s kidney infections worsened and those are not functioning properly. “Doctors are now closing monitoring it. Overall, his health condition remained unchanged as his major complications have reduced while some new complications developed, and doctors are giving treatment for it.”
Quader said, physicians hoped that Ershad’s condition will improve gradually. “You should understand he is still not out of danger considering his age and complications.”
Mentioning that doctors are intensively taking care of Ershad, he hoped that his brother will come around soon and serve the country and the nation again.
Quader urged all not to give any status on the social media with wrong information about their party chairmen’s health condition.
As his attention was drawn to a minister’s Facebook status about Ershad’s death, the Jatiya Party leader said it could be a fake ID of the minister or anybody else is operating the account.
Asked whether they have any plan to take Ershad abroad for better treatment, he said doctors think it will not be an appropriate decision to shift his brother to any other hospital or send abroad with his current health condition. “Doctors leave it upon our discretion, and we won’t take any decision without their advice.”
Quader also said Ershad is showing a tendency of drowsiness due to various medications and illness.
He said, when Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader visited Ershad in the morning he opened his eyes and looked at the minister, but he could not say anything as he was wearing an oxygen mask.
Jatiya Party general secretary Moshiur Rahman Ranga said Ershad tried to talk to Quader with mumbling.
Ershad was given oxygen support as his health condition deteriorated on Sunday.
Meanwhile, deputy leader of the opposition in parliament and Ershad’s wife Raushon Ershad recited the verses from the holy Quran beside her ailing husband at the CMH for an hour on Monday.
She urged the country’s people to pray for the speedy recovery of Ershad.
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.
