State Minister for Cultural Affairs KM Khalid visited National Professor, writer, researcher, cultural activist and Bangla Academy Chairman Dr Rafiqul Islam on Saturday at the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University hospital (BSMMU).

Khalid went to the hospital at noon to inquire about the health condition of the 87 years old Professor, who is currently undergoing treatment at the Department of Chest Diseases (Respiratory Medicine) in Cabin No 312 of BSMMU under Dr AKM Mosharraf Hossain.

The state minister inquired about Rafiqul Islam's health and instructed the doctor in charge to ensure maximum medical care. He also wished a speedy recovery to Professor Rafiqul Islam and assured full cooperation from the Ministry of Cultural Affairs.

On October 7, National Professor Dr Rafiqul Islam was admitted to BSMMU with abdominal pain. After the examination, the doctors confirmed that water had accumulated in his lungs which was later extracted.

According to Professor Dr Rafiqul Islam’s son Barshan, his father is better now than before, adding that he will be taken to Delhi or Bangkok for further treatment if needed.

Professor Dr Rafiqul Islam has received Independence Award (2012), Ekushey Padak (2001), Bangla Academy Literary Award (1994) and International Mother Language Award, for his excellence in the field of academia and culture.

Inducted as a National Professor in 2018, Prof Dr Rafiqul Islam is a former head of Bangla department at Dhaka University and currently a professor emeritus of the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB).