Prominent economist and former deputy governor of Bangladesh Bank, Khondkar Ibrahim Khaled passed away at a hospital in Dhaka early today.

The veteran banker breathed his last at 5:45am at the intensive care unit of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Professor Kanak Kanti Barua, vice chancellor of BSMMU, told The Daily Star.

Prof AKM Akhtaruzzaman, chief of ICU at BSMMU, told The Daily Star that Khaled was admitted at the hospital on February 11 with post-Covid-19 complications.

Khaled had diabetes, hypertension and sustained an injury in the head, the doctor said.

Before being admitted at BSMMU, he was being treated at a private hospital where he was given 17 bags of blood, he said.

"His condition had improved and we were thinking about his release. But his condition deteriorated again after he had a stroke on Friday," he added.

Khaled had earlier tested positive for Covid-19 and was admitted to Bangladesh Specialized Hospital on February 1. He was later admitted to BSMMU.

Khaled had headed Bangladesh Krishi Bank as chairman and managing director. He had served in Sonali, Agrani and Pubali banks as well.