Relief minister taken ill in Saidpur, to be airlifted to Dhaka

Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu suddenly fell ill at Saidpur Airport in Nilphamari on Saturday while travelling to northern Bangladesh on a two-day visit.

He is set to be airlifted to Dhaka by an air ambulance for advanced treatment.

Abdul Gafur Sarkar, president of the BNP’s Saidpur district unit, confirmed the development.

According to party sources, Dulu arrived in Saidpur from Dhaka in the morning to attend a two-day programme in Lalmonirhat.

After disembarking, he felt dizzy and unwell while speaking with party leaders and activists in the airport rest room. He was immediately taken to the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) at Saidpur Cantonment, where he received primary treatment.

Abdul Gafur Sarkar said, “Initial plans were to send him to Dhaka on a scheduled commercial flight at 12:10pm. However, as his condition deteriorated, travelling on a regular flight was no longer considered suitable. On doctors’ advice, it was decided to transfer him to Dhaka by air ambulance.”

He added that an air ambulance has already left Dhaka for Saidpur, and the minister will be moved to a hospital in the capital upon its arrival.

The minister is currently under close observation at CMH in Saidpur Cantonment.