Aide says Dhaka North Mayor Annisul Huq 'stable' at London hospital

Dhaka North City Corporation Mayor Annisul Huq is in 'stable' condition after being diagnosed with cerebral vasculitis at a hospital in London.

Abraul Hasan, an aide to the mayor, told bdnews24.com on Wednesday night that the mayor was still at the Intensive Care Unit of the hospital.

He said the mayor's wife Rubana Huq and his son were informing him about Annisul Huq's condition from London.

"He is medically stable now. His blood pressure is alright. The doctors have kept him under close observation," Hasan said.

"He is at the ICU and sleeping. He has been given medication to increase blood circulation as problem has been spotted in the circulation of blood in his brain," he added.

Hasan earlier told bdnews24.com that Huq went to London to visit his daughter on July 29 and she gave birth to a child on Aug 8.

"He was supposed to come back on the 14th and join the National Mourning Day programmes the following day. The last time we spoke was on the night of the 13th, when he said he's not flying back to Dhaka as scheduled earlier," Hasan told bdnews24.com.

A person close to the family said that the mayor has been unwell for quite sometime.

"On Friday, he went to a London hospital as he was not feeling well. During the diagnosis, he fell unconscious. Doctors found inflammation of the blood vessel wall in his brain. He is being treated at the ICU," he told bdnews24.com, preferring anonymity.

Bangladesh High Commission's Minister (Press) Nadeem Qadir told bdnews24.com that he has been diagnosed with cerebral vasculitis. "His wife Rubana Huq has asked all to pray for his recovery."

Cerebral vasculitis is inflammation of the blood vessel wall involving the brain.

According to Qadir, the mayor has been ill for quite some time, but doctors in Bangladesh could not identify his problem. "The prime minister spoke with Rubana Huq over phone on Tuesday and wished his early recovery."