Khaleda’s transfer to United Hospital hinges on advice from doctors, says home minister

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan has responded to BNP’s calls for party chief Khaleda Zia’s immediate transfer to United Hospital, stating that a decision will be taken based on the advice of medical specialists.

Senior Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 22 April 2018, 12:27 PM
Updated : 22 April 2018, 12:27 PM

The minister made the remarks after BNP Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan and Vice Chairman Hafiz Uddin Ahmed visited him on Sunday.

The two BNP leaders met the home minister amid concerns from the party and the family regarding the health of Khaleda who is currently serving her five-year prison sentence at the prison at Old Dhaka’s Nazimuddin Road. The BNP has demanded that the chief of their party be transferred to Dhaka’s United Hospital for treatment as soon as possible.

“She had previously been suffering from a few illnesses,” the home minister said. “Our doctors are treating her. She was given tests at BSMMU according to the advice of specialists. And still she talks about some doctors who had previously treated her.”

The home minister claimed the government had acted in accordance with the advice of the specialists.

Khaleda has an artificial knee installed, he said.

“Due to the artificial knee, she cannot undergo an MRI just at any machine. The two BNP leaders said that United Hospital had the necessary MRI machines. We will discuss this with our specialists and make a decision.”

“We will do what is necessary and follow the jail code. If the doctors’ recommendation lies outside the jail code, we will act accordingly,” Home Minister Khan said.

Asked whether there was any barrier to Khaleda receiving treatment at United Hospital, Khan said the jail code has rules for treatment at government medical facilities.

“If we need to transfer her elsewhere we will make a decision.”

Asked whether she could be sent abroad from treatment, Khan said she did not make frequent visits abroad for her health but received treatment at home.

The home minister also claimed that Khaleda was able to receive visitors according to her preferences.

“She can meet with relatives and political leaders at intervals according to the jail code. Sometimes she does not want to meet with them. A list is sent to her of the people who want to visit and we make arrangements according to her wishes.”

Arrangements are also made for visits from her friends and family, he said.