Hasina did for me what a mother does for her child: Obaidul Quader

Awami League leader Obaidul Quader says he is profoundly grateful to Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for her care during his illness.

“Sheikh Hasina acted in the way a mother does for her child in times of (difficulty),” he said after returning home from Singapore where he received treatment almost two and a half months for a heart condition.

About an incident when he was unconscious, he said, “At that time, I was not myself. I heard that a dying person responded to the call of the near and dear ones. Sheikh Hasina called me by name and I responded—I was told about this later."

Apart from his heart condition and diabetes, the 67-year-old Quader had also been suffering from a complicated breathing condition (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease).

Quader was rushed to the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University or BSMMU in a critical condition after he fell ill on Mar 3.  He was found to have three arterial blocks, one of which was removed by stenting.

The road transport and bridges minister remained unconscious for several hours after being hospitalised.

When the prime minister visited him at the hospital and called him by name, his eyes opened feebly, according to BSMMU Vice-Chancellor Kanak Kanti Barua.

Quader was not out of danger at that time. The following day, he was flown to Singapore's Mount Elizabeth Hospital on an air ambulance for advanced treatment once he was stable enough to travel.

After his health improved, Quader underwent a bypass surgery at the hospital. Despite being discharged from the hospital after a month of treatment, Quader had stayed back in Singapore for a few more days to receive follow-up treatment on the advice of the doctors there.

A Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight carrying the roads and bridges minister landed in Dhaka at 5:50pm on Wednesday.

“Two months and 11 days ago, I was between life and death. There was a doubt about whether I would be alive or not. I have no words to express my gratitude to her as she has done for me much like a mother does for her child in need of the hour. She was the most beloved mother. I am forever in her debt," he told reporters at the airport.

Quader also expressed his gratitude to the prime minister's sister, Sheikh Rehana, and said, "Sheikh Rehana recited the Qur'an and prayed for me. I expressed my gratitude to her. "

“People from all over the country and outside the party prayed for me. Even the expatriate Bengalis were with me. The biggest achievement of a politician is to get the people’s love, I have earned it. I got so much love, so many blessings!”

The Awami League leader also expressed his gratitude to the physicians of BSMMU and Mount Elizabeth Hospital, and thanked Devi Prasad Shetty, the renowned Indian cardiologist for their great support and care.