Former Dhaka Mayor Khoka in critical condition

BNP Vice-Chairman and former Dhaka Mayor Sadeque Hossain Khoka is in critical condition. 

He has been suffering from kidney cancer and is undergoing treatment for the last ten days at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre in New York.

In a video message, Khoka's eldest son and BNP's Foreign Affairs Committee member Ishraq Hossain talked about his father's worsening physical condition and sought prayers for his recovery.

Regarding Khoka's health condition, Ishraq told the media, "My father's health condition started to worsen two days ago and the doctors have already told us the chances of his recovery are slim. They have also stopped medicating him for cancer due to his current state."

Ishraq further said, the doctors are giving him enough medication to induce comfortable breathing. 

"His body is not responding to medicines and he has been facing trouble breathing as well," he added.

Along with Ishraq, Khoka's wife Ismat Hossain and his daughter Sarika Sadeque are also in the hospital with him.

The former mayor's last wish is to return to Bangladesh, but his family has not been able not bring him home as Khoka's passport has been expired.

On January 5, 2014, Khoka was arrested a few days before the national election.

He was admitted to Birdem Hospital in the capital after being released from jail on bail but doctors were unable to detect his health problem.

Later, he travelled to the United States on May 23, 2014 for the treatment of cancer. Since then, he has been undergoing treatment in Queens of New York City.