Poet and actor Rifat Chowdhury has been moved to a cabin at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) after spending two days receiving treatment on the hospital floor because no bed was initially available.
Rifat was moved to Cabin 103 on the 10th floor of Medicine Unit 3 in the hospital’s new building on Monday night. He confirmed the development on Tuesday.
“I was moved to a cabin last night. I am now on bed rest. After all the tests are completed, the doctors will review my medical file and start treatment,” he said.
Rifat was admitted to DMCH on 20 September after suffering from weakness, excessive fatigue, breathing difficulties, chest pain, insomnia and problems affecting his legs and waist. He has struggled to walk properly and is now receiving treatment under doctors’ supervision.
Dhaka Medical College physician and poet Amitabh Aranya, who has been supporting Rifat during his hospital stay, said most of his tests had been completed and two more were scheduled for Wednesday.
“After your report was published, several people contacted us today. I hope some assistance will come through them,” Amitabh said, adding that the main treatment would begin after the remaining tests.
Rifat had earlier said he did not expect financial assistance from the government. Instead, he appealed to financially capable individuals, businesspeople and cultural figures to help with his treatment.
He also expressed gratitude to members of law enforcement, saying the Deputy Commissioner of Ramna Police Station had visited him and provided financial assistance.
According to Amitabh, Rifat does not have a bank or bKash account of his own. He said people wishing to support the actor could send donations through his personal bKash account, with the money to be handed over to Rifat.
Rifat has also spoken about facing the illness largely alone. He said he has been separated from his family and that his poet friend Amitabh has been staying with him.
Despite his health problems, Rifat hopes to return to acting and poetry.
A familiar face on television, he has appeared in more than 500 dramas, including ‘House Full’, ‘420’, ‘Sixty Nine’, ‘Bonmanush’, ‘Bicycle’, ‘Carrom’ and ‘Murir Tin’. His portrayal of Jatiyo Kaka in ‘Sixty Nine’ brought him widespread recognition.
Rifat entered the literary world in 1984 with his poem ‘Alingoner Naam’. According to reports, 29 of his books have been published.
