Bangladesh president returns after heart procedure in UK

President Mohammed Shahabuddin has returned to Bangladesh after undergoing medical treatment and health check-ups in the United Kingdom.

A Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight (BG-202) carrying the president and members of his entourage landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 10:50am on Monday, according to a spokesman for the Bangabhaban Press Wing.

He was received at the airport by Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md Asaduzzaman, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps Yousef S Y Ramadan, British High Commission Counsellor Alison J Cross, and senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Prime Minister’s Office and the President’s Office.

The president travelled to London on 9 May on doctors’ advice for follow-up treatment and medical examinations.

On 12 May, he underwent an angiogram at Royal Papworth Hospital in Cambridge under the supervision of interventional cardiologist Dr Stephen Holley. A serious blockage was detected during the procedure, and he subsequently received an angioplasty with a stent implanted.

Officials said his condition is now stable and satisfactory, quoting the president’s personal physicians.

This was not his first major cardiac treatment. In October 2023, President Shahabuddin underwent bypass surgery in Singapore.

During his stay in the UK, he continued to carry out official duties remotely, digitally approving and signing documents sent from various ministries.

He also held an informal courtesy meeting with Sudanese Prime Minister Dr Kamil Idris at the Hilton Hotel in London during the visit.