Medical Board Convened as Mahmudur Rahman Manna Hospitalised

Mahmudur Rahman Manna, the President of Nagorik Oikya and a prominent figure in Bangladeshi politics, is currently in a critical condition after suffering a heart attack. The veteran politician was rushed to the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) in the early hours of Sunday morning, 18 January 2026, after falling ill at his residence late on Saturday night.

His personal physician, Dr Shoaib Muhammad, confirmed the cardiac event, noting that the 70-year-old leader required immediate emergency intervention. Mr Manna has been placed in the Coronary Care Unit (CCU) under the close supervision of a specialised medical team.

A History of Medical Neglect

According to a press release issued by Nagorik Oikya’s Organising Secretary, Sakib Anwar, this is not Mr Manna’s first encounter with severe cardiac distress. The party highlighted a contentious period in 2015 when Mr Manna was arrested and detained. During his incarceration, he reportedly suffered a heart attack, and subsequent diagnostic tests revealed multiple blocks in his coronary arteries.

The party alleges that the then-incumbent government denied him the necessary medical care, forcibly transferring him from the hospital back to prison before he could undergo essential procedures. Furthermore, following his eventual release, his passport was reportedly withheld by the authorities for an extended period, preventing him from seeking advanced cardiac treatment abroad. These historical complications have added significant risk to his current clinical presentation.

Current Clinical Status

As of 11:00 am on Sunday, medical officials at BSMMU stated that Mr Manna is being monitored around the clock. A medical board, comprising the country's leading cardiologists, has been convened to determine the best course of action, which may include angioplasty once his condition stabilises.

Sakib Anwar informed the press that the next 36 hours are vital. "He is not yet out of danger," he remarked, adding that the medical board is currently deliberating on the urgency of surgical intervention. Supporters and political peers have expressed their concern, calling for national prayers for his swift recovery.