The Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump (IABP) machine which was set up in the heart of ailing Road Transport Minister and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader was removed on Thursday morning as his condition is improving gradually, reports the UNB.

“His heart is working fine without any artificial support,” Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) Director Dr Abu Naser Rizvi, who was accompanying the minister, informed media referring to the statement of Cardiologist Dr Philip Koh of Mount Elizabeth Hospital on Thursday noon.

The kidneys of the minister have been functioning better than before and the quantity of sedative has also been reduced, said Rizvi.

“The minister is also responding to doctors’ call,” he added.

He further said many of his infections are under control.

His wife Isratunnesa Quader and Md Mustafizur Rahman, Bangladesh High Commissioner in Singapore were also present at the briefing.

Quader, also Awami League (AL) General Secretary, was flown to Singapore on Monday for better treatment as per advice of renowned Indian cardiologist Dr Devi Shetty.

The minister was admitted to the BSMMU on Sunday morning following breathing complications. Later, doctors conducted an angiogram and found three blockages in his coronary arteries.