BNP leader Mirza Fakhrul flies to Singapore for treatment

The BNP’s acting Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, suffering from ailments, has left for Singapore for better treatment days after he was released on bail.

He and his wife Rahat Ara Begum left for the city state at midnight Sunday in a Singapore Airlines flight.

Before leaving, Fakhrul sought blessings from all for a quick recovery.

The BNP leader, accused in a number of cases, was released on July 14 after about six months in prison.

“I’m very sick,” he told bdnews24.com earlier in the morning. “I’ll leave for Singapore tonight.”

The 67-year old former state minister said he would consult cardiac specialist Maurice Choo.

Fakhrul was arrested at the National Press Club after BNP chief Khaleda Zia called for nonstop blockades across Bangladesh in January.

He was later implicated in several cases of sabotage.

The top court granted the BNP leader bail on July 14 after he had suffered a blockage in the internal carotid artery. Before that, he was admitted to the BSMMU, Bangladesh’s top public hospital.

Prof Mahmudur Rahman, who supervised his treatment there, had advised him to get treatment abroad, he said.

The senior politician said he had lost 12 kg in last six months in jail.

“I have a blockage in my internal carotid artery. It’s a very complex disease,” Fakhrul said. “It’s a rare disease in our country. That’s why I need to go to Singapore.”

He also complained of frequent bouts of dizziness and blood pressure fluctuation.

He added the ailment was identified last year when he was at the Kashimpur jail.

Fakhrul said he was not sure when he would go under the knife to remove the blockage.

“The doctors will decide whether or not to go for surgery,” he said.

One of his daughters lives in Australia. He said he would go there for surgery if needed.

“Many have told me about a specialised hospital in Cleveland, US. I’m considering that too,” he added.

But everything depended on the doctors in Singapore, Fakhrul said.