Khaleda’s illness is ‘nothing serious’, doctor says after checkup

Doctor Md Shamsuzzaman, who is heading a medical board for Khaleda Zia’s treatment, says her sickness is ‘nothing serious’.

He spoke to reporters at his chamber on Monday hours after the Dhaka Medical College Hospital authorities declined comment on the BNP chief's health, saying the board was yet to file its report.

The team of four doctors visited the former prime minister in Dhaka prison on Sunday.

Shamsuzzaman, head of orthopaedics at the DMCH, said, “She feels pain in her neck, left hand, leg and waist. She also complained about pins and needles in her left hand.”

He said they added some more drugs to her medication and suggested blood and x-ray tests.

“We’ve also prescribed her regular physical exercise,” the doctor said.

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

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.

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

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

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

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