A team of surgeons has successfully transplanted 'autologous hemolytic stem cells' in a liver cirrhosis patient in a private hospital in Sylhet. The breakthrough, a first for stem cell therapy outside the capital, occurred Thursday. A team of liver specialists led by Dr. Mamun Al Mahtab, better known as Prof Swapnil, former Chairman of the Department of Hepatology and Head of Interventional Hepatology Division, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, completed the whole process.Later, an exchange meeting was held with journalists at a restaurant in Sylhet where Professor Swapnil presented the keynote address.Stem cell therapy is an advanced aspect of modern medical science with tremendous potential to revolutionise many treatments. It is being used in different ways in different countries of the world.In Bangladesh, it has been shown that stem cell therapy improves liver function in most patients with cirrhosis of the liver and they stay well for a long time. In many cases, patents no longer need a liver transplant.Though stem cell therapy is not yet an alternative to liver cirrhosis, it is certainly a promising treatment for those who are unable to have a liver transplant. Also read: Bangladesh performs first mechanical heart implant

BNP on Tuesday said its chairperson Khaleda Zia has been going through an extremely critical time at Evercare Hospital in the capital as her physical condition continues to worsen. “Despite repeated demands to send BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia abroad for advanced treatment, the government has remained mysteriously silent. Her condition is deteriorating as days go by,” said BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi. Speaking at a press briefing at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office, he said doctors are saying Khaleda’s treatment for liver cirrhosis and internal bleeding is not possible in the country. “Advanced treatment abroad is urgently needed to save her life.” Read: Khaleda’s condition still unchanged: BNP The BNP leader alleged that the “government has indulged in a terrible inhumane conspiracy” without considering the dying state of Khaleda. “The government has been conspiring in various ways over her treatment to eliminate her from the world.” He bemoaned that Khaleda is being deprived of basic human rights while she has been there at the crossroads of death and life. “Our leader’s treatment abroad is possible as per the customary law of the country.” Rizvi said the government is trying to remove its political rival ignoring the demands of people of all walks of life irrespective of their party affiliation. He urged the government to take necessary steps to allow the BNP chief to go abroad for treatment immediately and said their party will start holding rallies in district towns from Wednesday to push the demand. Khaleda, a 76-year-old former prime minister, has been receiving treatment at Evercare Hospital for various health complications since November 13. Her medical board members said Khaleda immediately needs to go abroad for better treatment as she was diagnosed with liver cirrhosis. Read: Writ seeks HC directive for Khaleda’s treatment abroad On behalf of her family, Khaleda's younger brother, Shamim Iskander, submitted an application to the Home Ministry on November 11 urging the government to allow her to go abroad for better treatment. Law Minister Anisul Huq recently said the government is looking for a legal option to allow Khaleda to go abroad for treatment.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday said their party chairperson Khaleda Zia, diagnosed with liver cirrhosis, rebled on Monday. Fakhrul, however, said her condition is now better than it was last night as doctors tackled the danger. “Dr Zahid (Khaleda’s physician) phoned me last night (Monday night) and requested me to be at the hospital immediately…I went to Evercare Hospital around 12am and saw that the 10 doctors involved in Madam's treatment were very worried. I also got sacred,” the BNP leader told a rally. Fakhrul said he wanted to know from the doctors what actually happened to the BNP chief. “They replied Madam suffered what we had feared (Khaleda rebled. By the grace of Allah, the doctors could overcome the crisis as they did it thrice earlier through their tireless efforts.” Also read: People won’t tolerate if Khaleda dies “without treatment”: BNP As part of its countrywide programme, BNP arranged the rally in front of its Nayapaltan central office, demanding Khaleda’s treatment abroad. Fakhrul said Dr Zahid informed him this (Tuesday) morning that the BNP chief is now better than before. “But the doctors think the sign is not good at all. Because, they’ve clearly said there’s no treatment now here (Bangladesh) for the diseases she has been suffering from.” He said doctors told them that the BNP chief must be sent abroad without further delay for her proper treatment. Stating that Khaleda Zia has been fighting for life, the BNP leader bemoaned that a minister of the government said what the doctors narrated about Khaleda’s health condition at a press conference was taught by the BNP. Hundreds of leaders and activists of the party and its associate bodies joined the rally. Similar rallies were held in eight other divisional cities to mount pressure on the government to let Khaleda go abroad for advanced treatment. Also read: Khaleda’s treatment abroad: BNP announces 8-day programme Khaleda, a 76-year-old former prime minister, has been receiving treatment at Evercare Hospital for various health complications since November 13. Her medical board members on Sunday said Khaleda immediately needs to go abroad for better treatment as she was diagnosed with liver cirrhosis. They also said Khaleda bled thrice and the third time bleeding was severe, impairing her liver function. On behalf of her family, Khaleda's younger brother, Shamim Iskander, submitted an application to the Home Ministry on November 11 urging the government to allow her to go abroad for better treatment. However, Law Minister Anisul Huq said the government will consider Khaleda Zia’s appeal if she submits a fresh petition after returning to jail.

BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia, now undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in the capital, was diagnosed with liver cirrhosis, her medical board member Dr FM Siddique said on Sunday. “We’ve already informed Madam’s close relatives that she was diagnosed with liver cirrhosis, and asked them to take steps to send her abroad as soon as possible,” he told a press conference at the BNP chief’s Gulshan residence. The doctor said Khaleda’s condition is now stable but it can deteriorate anytime in the case of further bleeding from her liver. “The bleeding has stopped now, but re-bleeding can start anytime. If it happens, her life will be at high risk,” he said. He said they now feel very helpless over the current condition of Khaleda for lack of technology to treat her. The physician said Khaleda needs to go to an advanced medical centre abroad urgently for her treatment by applying “TIPS’ technology. Read: Khaleda free, not in govt custody: Law Minister He also feared that a time may come when it will be difficult or impossible to shift Khaleda abroad. Dr Siddique said Khaleda already bled thrice and the third time bleeding was severe, impairing her liver function. "In the last 24 hours, there was no bleeding. “There’s a 50 percent possibility of rebleeding in the next week while 70 percent within the next six weeks. This is obvious.” "We don't have the supportive technology to control or stop it if Madame bleeds again, we're afraid. If she bleeds again, the risk of her death will increase a lot,” the physician said.