Iconic Language Movement activist Ahmed Rafiq battles multiple health complications in ICU

Suffering from diabetes, high blood pressure, and chronic kidney failure, he remains in critical condition at a Dhaka hospital

Veteran Language Movement activist and researcher Ahmed Rafiq is receiving treatment under intensive care at BIRDEM Hospital in Dhaka.

Dr AK Azad Khan, national professor and BIRDEM’s physician, told bdnews24.com on Wednesday that Rafiq, 96, is battling multiple health issues.

“His age has caused different health complications," said Khan.

Rafiq was transferred from Health and Hope Hospital in Panthapath to BIRDEM on Monday, as reported by the hospital’s director, public health expert Lelin Choudhury.

On Sept 11, Rafiq was admitted to the Hospital. In the previous month, he was hospitalised twice at Labaid Hospital.

Rafiq is suffering from diabetes, high blood pressure, chronic kidney failure, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, electrolyte imbalance, bedsores, and lung infections, according to doctors.

Born on Sept 12, 1929, in Shahbazpur, Brahmanbaria, Rafiq completed his higher secondary education at Horganga College in Munshiganj before enrolling at Dhaka University to study chemistry.

Due to residential issues at Fazlul Haque Hall, however, he transferred to Dhaka Medical College.

Rafiq participated in the 1952 Language Movement, working closely with students from different campuses. He was the only student from Dhaka Medical College to have an arrest warrant issued against him in 1954.

Though he earned an MBBS degree, Rafiq chose to focus on writing rather than pursuing a career in medicine.

In 1958, he published his first book, Shilpo Songskriti Jibon (Art, Culture, and Life). Rafiq received numerous accolades, including the Ekushey Padak, Bangla Academy Award, and Rabindra Sahitya Award for his contributions to literature.