Jatiya Party (JP) chairman HM Ershad is still not out of danger, said party acting chairman  GM Quader yesterday.  “Our party chairman is not out of danger. However, I won’t say that he is now well. His health condition remains unchanged. He is surviving with the help of medicines and medical support,” Quader, who is also the younger brother of Ershad, told reporters during a press briefing at the JP chairman’s Banani political office.

Ershad (89), who is being treated at the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in Dhaka, has been put on life support since Thursday (July 4) afternoon. He has been suffering from various old-age complications including low haemoglobin, liver problems, high bilirubin and serious keen pain.

“Ershad has been put on ventilator. Doctors say his digestive system is not functioning properly, Quader said. Quoting CMH doctors, the JP acting chairman said Ershad was being given dialysis.   “Monday is the 12th day of his admission to the hospital. His health condition remains unchanged. His body organs have been kept active artificially with the help of medical equipment and medicines,” he added.

Ershad’s health condition has improved in some areas, Quader said. “It has been made possible because of medicines and machines. But at the same time, his doctors said it was not a significant improvement,” he added. The JP’s acting chairman said he went to the CMH yesterday morning at 11am to see his elder brother. “I saw he was in a deep sleep and undergoing a dialysis. Doctors informed me that some indicators were improving.

If this trend continues, Ershad's condition will improve,” Quader said in reply to a query. Among others, presidium member of JP Shunil Shuvo Roy, SM Faisal Chisti, Rezaul Islam Bhuiyan, Alamgir Sikder Loton and vice-chairman Nurul Islam Nuru were present.