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Published : 14 Jul 2025, 05:03 PM
Folk singer Farida Parveen has been moved from the intensive care unit to a cabin, authorities at Dhaka’s Universal Medical College Hospital have said.
Ashis Kumar Chakraborty, managing director of the hospital, confirmed that the artist was transferred in the early hours of Monday.
“Farida Parveen is now doing a little better than before,” he told bdnews24.com on Monday morning.
She had been receiving treatment in the hospital’s ICU in Mohakhali since Jul 5, following a deterioration in her health after admission.
A medical board was formed under the direction of the health secretary to oversee her treatment. The board includes specialists in kidney, cardiac, and respiratory care, along with a representative from the health secretary’s office.
The family has urged well-wishers not to crowd the hospital.
Her son, Imam Zafar Numanee, wrote on Facebook: “Amma has been transferred from the ICU to a cabin, Alhamdulillah. The doctor said that if visitors cannot be controlled, the situation will go back to how it was before. I request that everyone, again, not crowd the hospital.”
Farida, 71, has long been battling multiple health complications, including kidney issues and diabetes. She has had to seek hospital care intermittently.
bdnews24.com first reported on her illness on Jul 3, when she was being treated at home.
As her condition worsened, she was admitted to the hospital two days later.
Following reports of her illness, calls emerged on social media for the government to support the artist.
Subsequently, both the cultural affairs and the health ministries reached out to the family.
While the cultural ministry offered financial support, the family said they were able to manage the expenses.
Instead, they requested the formation of a medical board with expert physicians.
BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir have also inquired about her condition.
Farida initially began singing Nazrul Sangeet and patriotic songs before earning acclaim for her renditions of Lalon Sangeet. She trained under Sadhak Moksed Ali Shah.
She was awarded the Ekushey Padak in 1987 for her contributions to music and received Japan’s Fukuoka Asian Culture Prize in 2008.
In addition to singing for films, she received the National Film Award for Best Playback Singer in 1993.
To carry forward the tradition of Lalon songs, Farida established the Achin Pakhi Music Academy about 16 years ago.
However, due to her declining health, limited income, and the lack of a permanent facility, the institution now faces serious challenges.
