Lucy Helen Francis Holt, who has been awarded the ‘Friends of Bangladesh’ accolade for her contribution to the Liberation War, was hospitalized late on Thursday after suffering a stroke.
She is currently undergoing treatment at Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital.
Dr HM Saiful Islam, director of the hospital, said the 91-year-old has been suffering from various age-related health issues, including hypertension.
“She is currently under observation, and needs adequate rest and her blood needs to be kept under control,” he said, adding that Holt can make a recovery through necessary treatment and following doctor’s advice.
Born in 1930 in the UK, Holt came to the then East Pakistan as a nun in 1960 and joined the Oxford Mission Church in Barisal.
Holt became mesmerized by Bangladesh’s natural beauty and its people and chose to spend the rest of her life in this country.
A witness of Bangladesh’s Liberation War, she had treated wounded freedom fighters and people during the nine-month struggle.
Holt retired from the mission's services in 2004, but still remains busy serving people, especially the poor and children.
Her outstanding contributions were reported in the media in 2016.
Later, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina handed Holt her citizenship certificate at Ganabhaban in 2018.
The noted humanitarian will turn 92 on December 16, Bangladesh' Victory Day.