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Published : 16 Jan 2026, 07:37 PM
Dr FM Siddiqui, one of the physicians who treated Khaleda Zia, has demanded an investigation into what he described as “deliberate negligence” in her medical care at the Bangladesh Medical University.
He raised the allegation on Friday while speaking at a citizens’ condolence meeting for the former prime minister at the South Plaza of parliament complex.
Siddiqui said the “indescribable suffering” Khaleda endured in the final phase of her life as a result of medical negligence was something she did not deserve.
He recommended forming a legally empowered high-level committee to conduct a detailed investigation into three key areas of Khaleda’s medical care.
“First,” he said, “who were the members of the government-formed medical board, and on what basis did they recommend shifting Khaleda’s treatment to the medical university? Does responsibility lie with them for failing in their duties?”
“Second, which doctors were involved during her hospitalisation, and is there evidence of negligence in her care?”
“Third, when Khaleda Zia, through her lawyers, requested that her personal physicians be included on the medical board, why was it not allowed, and who obstructed it?”
He also urged that all her medical records from Bangladesh Medical University be legally seized for investigation.
‘DELIBERATE NEGLIGENCE’
Khaleda was imprisoned on Feb 8, 2018, after being sentenced to five years in the Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case, later increased to 10 years by the High Court.
She received another seven-year sentence in the Zia Charitable Trust corruption case and remained at the Nazimuddin Road jail in Old Dhaka.
After falling ill in prison, she was admitted on Apr 1, 2019, to the then Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University Hospital, where a government-appointed medical board oversaw her treatment. The BNP had raised objections at the time.
Following the COVID-19 outbreak, then-prime minister Sheikh Hasina suspended her sentence for six months at the family’s request in 2020. Khaleda was temporarily released on Mar 25 that year and returned to her Gulshan residence.
Siddiqui alleged, “During her treatment at the medical university, there was deliberate negligence. There was neglect in administering medication for her liver disease, failure to conduct necessary tests, and clear evidence of negligence in managing her diabetes and arthritis.”
Detailing her medical journey, he said he had been involved in her care for 12 years, assuming overall responsibility with a team in April 2021 when she was admitted to Evercare Hospital with COVID-related complications.
“To my astonishment, tests revealed [Khaleda] was suffering from liver cirrhosis,” he said.
“The government-appointed doctors at the medical university had her take a tablet called methotrexate, instructed to be taken regularly. They continued administering this drug for as long as she remained under their care.”
Siddiqui explained the risks: “Patients with rheumatoid arthritis need methotrexate, but it is critical to regularly test the liver to ensure no damage.
“Yet, during her time at the university, her liver function tests consistently showed deterioration, but not even an ultrasonography was conducted over a year and a half.”
Addressing possible objections, he said: “Yes, she might have initially resisted ultrasonography. But even under my care, she had to be counselled repeatedly, and then she agreed to investigations.”
He added: “After repeated liver dysfunction signs, she repeatedly requested that her preferred physicians handle her care.
“A lawyer approached the court, but documents submitted by the medical university made no mention of her liver disease -- either they did not know or deliberately concealed it.”
On whether this constituted “slow poisoning”, Siddiqui said: “Methotrexate was the drug that accelerated her fatty liver into cirrhosis. In that context, it acted as a slow poison.”
Reflecting on her legacy, he said: “There is deep regret in the hearts of the nation. A person who sacrificed her life for democracy, for the people, and for voting rights -- if she had lived a little longer to see people exercising their votes freely, how joyful it would have been.”
He concluded: “Madam Khaleda Zia’s treatment… this negligence rapidly worsened her liver and pushed her towards death. This was deliberate negligence. It is an unforgivable crime. Whether it was part of a far-reaching plan to kill her must be investigated.”
