Khaleda undergoes medical checkup in jail, given medication

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has undergone medical checkup in jail amid concerns by the party over her health.

Prof Md Shamsuzzaman, head of orthopaedics at Dhaka Medical College Hospital, led a team of four doctors that saw Khaleda in the jail in Dhaka for an hour on Sunday afternoon.  

“Her treatment is continuing. She is taking necessary medicine. We’ve prescribed some more medicine after checking her today,” Shamsuzzaman told bdnews24.com.

He said they also suggested more tests for the former prime minister.

Prof Shamsuzzaman, however, declined comment on Khaleda’s health issues, citing doctor-patient confidentiality.  

The BNP chief has been in the old jailhouse on Nazimuddin Road since Feb 8 when a special court sentenced her to five years in jail for corruption in Zia Orphanage Trust.

DMCH Director Brig Gen AKM Nasir Uddin told bdnews24.com they formed the medical board of four doctors for the BNP chief's treatment following the jail authorities’ request.

The three other doctors in the team are neurologist Mansur Habib, medicine specialist Titu Mia and physical medicine specialist Sohely Rahman.

“The board’s suggestion will be conveyed to the jail authorities on Monday. They will take measures required,” the DMCH director said.  

The 73-year-old is suffering from problems in her heart, eyes and knee, her doctors earlier said. She is on regular medication. 

BNP leaders said they were not told about her ‘ailments’ or the formation of the medical board for her treatment.

Khaleda's physicians had gone to the jail several times to see her, but the authorities sent them back, saying they would get her treated.

She cannot be released from prison before May 8 when the Supreme Court hears her petition challenging the special court verdict on that day.

The news of her ailment was revealed when the jail authorities did not produce her in court for hearing of another case on Mar 28.

BNP Secretary-General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir was scheduled to meet her in jail the next day, but the meeting was cancelled because of her ‘ailments’.

No official agreed to comment on her physical condition.

Later, the BNP at a news conference demanded her release for treatment.

The ruling Awami League’s General Secretary Obaidul Quader, in reaction to the BNP concerns said the government would not be ‘inhumane to her and would surely take measures for her treatment when needed’.