‘Where will the poor go’, Kaiser Hamid expresses anger over medical treatment

❐ Staff Reporter

Content creator Kareena Hamid is currently on life support at a private hospital in the capital due to liver complications. As her condition continues to deteriorate, it has been decided to airlift her to Chennai, India, for advanced treatment on Monday afternoon, May 11.

His father, former national team footballer Kaiser Hamid, confirmed the matter.

Kareena Hamid was suffering from fatty liver disease. She had been suffering from fever for a few days. Although initially it was considered a common illness, her physical condition deteriorated rapidly within a short time.

Doctors said he was infected with Hepatitis A. Later, complications continued to increase, leading to liver failure. He had been receiving treatment in an unconscious state in the ICU of a private hospital in the capital since May 2 and was put on life support last Friday.

Kareena’s father, Kaiser Hamid, said that due to the lack of proper medical facilities for liver transplant in the country, they are now forced to take their daughter abroad.

In his words, “I didn’t know, if I had been told at the beginning that there was no proper treatment for liver transplant in our country, I would have taken him out of the country on the first day. Now it’s being told so late.”

He has already contacted a few hospitals in Chennai and arranged for Kareena to be taken by air ambulance.

Liver transplant treatment in Bangladesh

As part of the Awami League government’s long-term plan, liver transplant treatment has become readily available in the country over the past few years.

 

BD Digest has learned from talking to expert doctors that liver transplant treatment is being successfully performed at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) and BIRDEM Hospital. This complex surgery is being completed for a maximum cost of Tk 4 million, which is at least 5 times less than abroad. Abroad, the cost is at least Tk 10 million. Basically, the liver is taken from a living donor (family member) for this transplant.

 

Analyzing the information from various media outlets in the country, it can be seen that many such success stories have been published up to July-August 2024 after undergoing liver transplant treatment at BSMMU Hospital. Even media outlets published at various times say that many foreign citizens have also come to Bangladesh for liver treatment at low cost and have returned after receiving treatment.

Kaiser Hamid said that the medical expenses have already exceeded crores of taka. He also admitted that the situation is getting beyond his means. He is being forced to sell land to raise money for his daughter’s medical expenses. In addition, Kareena’s friends and fans have also come forward to help.

Kaiser Hamid has sought cooperation from the government, but has not received any response yet.

He said, “I have informed Aminul (Sports Minister Aminul Islam) that he is probably out of the country. The Prime Minister may have known. We are waiting.”

Kaiser Hamid said, “I appeal to the Honorable Prime Minister to develop an advanced liver transplant medical system in the country. I am either selling the land, his friends and fans are standing by. But where will the poor go then?”