Sharif Osman Hadi, who was shot by assailants while returning from an election campaign, remains in critical condition at Singapore General Hospital, with doctors saying his condition is unchanged and that the coming hours within a crucial treatment time window are decisive.

Citing physicians at the hospital, Dr Abdul Ahad, a neurosurgeon at Dhaka Medical College Hospital involved in Hadi’s treatment, told the media in Singapore on Tuesday that Hadi remains at the brink between life and death.

According to the latest assessment by neurosurgeons, ischemic changes in his brain and cerebral edema have not subsided, making the timing of any physiological response critically important.

After undergoing surgery and intensive care in Dhaka following the shooting, Hadi was transferred to Singapore for advanced treatment. Since his admission to the emergency complex at Singapore General Hospital, neurosurgery and critical care teams have been jointly managing his case.

A post admission CT scan showed no improvement in ischemic changes on the left side of his brain, while brain swelling persists. Doctors said an injury to the brainstem has also caused pressure within the ventricular system, posing a major clinical challenge.

Dr Ahad said Hadi’s kidney, heart and lung functions are currently being supported through artificial ventilation. There has been no change in his Glasgow Coma Scale score, indicating neither neurological improvement nor deterioration at this stage.

Physicians said time is the most critical factor at this point. In cases of severe brain injury, there is a limited time window during which positive physiological responses can signal potential recovery. Doctors are closely monitoring whether Hadi shows any such signs within that window.

Dr Ahad added that a recent CT scan of Hadi’s lungs continues to show the presence of blood, the same complication that required chest drainage while he was in Bangladesh. Respiratory management in Singapore is being conducted with that condition in mind.

Doctors have also dismissed claims circulating on social media, clarifying that reports suggesting Hadi has opened his eyes or shown improvement are false. His condition remains static, they said, and no definitive prognosis regarding regaining consciousness can be given at this stage.

Despite the gravity of his condition, doctors said unexpected changes can sometimes occur even within the limits of medical science, and therefore the highest level of treatment and intensive monitoring is being maintained.

Hadi’s family and colleagues have urged the public to pray for his recovery and appealed for restraint and responsibility in avoiding the spread of rumors or unverified information.