‘Suffering from autonomic neuropathy’: What Shahabuddin wrote in his resignation letter

Outgoing President Mohammed Shahabuddin has resigned from office, citing serious health complications that have left him physically and mentally unable to discharge the responsibilities of the country’s highest constitutional post.

He submitted his resignation letter to Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad today (24 July), bringing an early end to his five-year term that was due to expire in April 2028.

In his resignation letter, Shahabuddin said he was suffering from heart disease, hypertension, diabetes and kidney complications, and had previously undergone coronary artery bypass surgery.

“I am suffering from heart disease, hypertension, diabetes and kidney complications. I have undergone coronary artery bypass surgery,” he wrote.

The president also revealed that he had been diagnosed with autonomic neuropathy, a neurological disorder that causes him to lose consciousness intermittently.

“Due to this illness, I occasionally lose consciousness for brief periods,” he said.

Citing his deteriorating health, Shahabuddin said he was no longer capable of carrying out the constitutional responsibilities entrusted to him.

“Due to these medical conditions and the resulting physical and mental incapacity, I am no longer able to discharge the responsibilities of the important constitutional office of the president. I require long-term medical treatment,” the letter read.

He added that he had stepped down from office in accordance with Article 50(3) of the Constitution.

Shahabuddin also said he had carried out his constitutional duties with sincerity, honesty and full allegiance to the Constitution throughout his tenure.

Reflecting on the political developments following the fall of the Awami League government amid the student-led mass uprising on 5 August 2024, he said the country had faced a constitutional and governance crisis at the time.

“With a view to overcoming that constitutional crisis, I, in my capacity as president, sought the opinion of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh under Article 106 of the Constitution. Subsequently, acting on the advice of the Appellate Division, I formed the interim government,” he wrote.

According to Shahabuddin, the interim government subsequently held the general election in consultation with political parties, paving the way for the formation of the present government.

“Based on the election results, the present government was formed and is now conducting the affairs of the state. At present, both the ruling party and the opposition are performing their respective responsibilities in Parliament through democratic practices,” he said.

The outgoing president further claimed that Bangladesh had not experienced any constitutional breakdown during the political transition because of the role he played.

“The country did not experience any constitutional breakdown due to my firm and constructive role,” he wrote.

Under Article 54 of the Constitution, Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad will perform the functions of the president as acting president until a new head of state is elected.

What is autonomic neuropathy?

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), a part of the US Department of Health and Human Services and the nation’s medical research agency, autonomic neuropathy is damage to the nerves that control the body’s internal organs and involuntary functions.

The autonomic nervous system regulates several essential processes that occur automatically, including heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, bladder control, sweating, eye responses and sexual functions. When these nerves are damaged, the body may struggle to properly manage these functions.

The NIH notes that autonomic neuropathy can affect different parts of the body depending on which nerves are damaged. 

The condition may cause problems such as changes in heart rate and blood pressure, digestive difficulties, bladder problems, abnormal sweating, vision-related issues and difficulty sensing symptoms of low blood glucose.

The condition is often linked to long-term diabetes, as high blood glucose and increased levels of fats such as triglycerides in the blood can damage nerves and the small blood vessels that supply them. 

However, other medical conditions and factors may also contribute to nerve damage. Early diagnosis and management of the underlying cause can help prevent the condition from worsening and reduce complications.