Medical board formed as Osman Hadi remains in critical condition

The condition of Sharif Osman Hadi, an aspiring independent candidate for the Dhaka-8 constituency, remains static and extremely critical as doctors continue round-the-clock monitoring following a gunshot injury to the head, according to the medical board overseeing his treatment.

The multidisciplinary medical board, led by Professor Dr Md Zafar Iqbal, senior consultant and head of the Department of Critical Care Medicine at Evercare Hospital, was formed around 11:30am today (13 December) to supervise Hadi's treatment.

The board also includes senior specialists from neurosurgery, thoracic surgery and other relevant departments.

Dr Abdul Ahad, a physician from the Neurosurgery Department and a key member of the surgical team at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH), told The Business Standard this afternoon that Hadi's condition has not changed.

"Osman Hadi's condition remains static. No new operations will be performed for now. Medication and supportive treatment will continue," he said, citing the medical board's assessment.

According to the board's observations, Hadi has suffered severe brain damage and will now be managed conservatively under a brain protection protocol.

Doctors said ventilator support must be maintained due to lung injury, while careful monitoring is needed to prevent lung infection or acute respiratory distress syndrome.

His kidney function has returned and is being managed through strict fluid balance, while a previously observed blood clotting imbalance is improving but requires constant monitoring.

Doctors also noted that due to injury to the brain stem, Hadi's blood pressure and heart rate remain unstable.

Medical teams are maintaining blood pressure support and are prepared to install a temporary pacemaker if necessary.

The board reiterated that Hadi's overall condition remains extremely critical and requested prayers, privacy for the patient, and restraint from spreading rumours.

Sharif Osman Hadi, who is also the spokesperson for Inqilab Mancha, was shot yesterday (12 December) around 2:20pm in front of DR Tower on Box Culvert Road in Dhaka while travelling in a rickshaw, according to police and witnesses.

He was taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital around 3pm, where he underwent emergency brain surgery due to massive brain injury.

Doctors at DMCH described his condition as extremely critical, noting that the bullet entered above his left ear and exited through the right side of his head, affecting the brain stem.

He was later transferred to Evercare Hospital for advanced treatment, where doctors earlier said his prognosis could not be determined until at least 72 hours had passed.

Dr Arif Mahmud, director (medical services) at Evercare Hospital Bangladesh, told TBS earlier today, "His brain injury is very bad; nothing can be said until 72 hours have passed. His heart is working... but the brain is very bad. Nothing can be said in one word right now," adding that the waiting period could be indefinite.

He added, "[Hadi's] eyes are fixed due to the injury to the brain stem, but the good news is his other organs are still functioning."