Khaleda Zia admitted to hospital

Khaleda Zia admitted to hospital

Dhaka, Oct 6 (Just News): BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia was admitted to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) for her treatment this afternoon.

Khaleda Zia was given a VIP cabin at BSMMU where she will stay during her treatment, Brig Gen Abdullah Al Harun, director of BSMMU, told reporters.

The BNP chief was taken to BSMMU from Dhaka Old Central Jail around 3:40pm, our staff correspondent reports from the spot.

Briefing journalists, the BSMMU director said the five-member medical board formed to treat Khaleda Zia will hold a meeting tomorrow around 1:00pm to initiate all required medical tests on her and start the treatment process.

The BNP chief will be informed of the names of the doctors of the medical board and any other doctor could be included to it according to her preference, he said.

Meanwhile, Dr AZM Zahid Hossain, secretary general of pro-BNP Doctors' Association of Bangladesh (DAB), alleged that at least three doctors of the medical board were included from Swadhinata Chikitsak Parishad, a pro-Awami League doctors’ body.

“We are doubtful of the fact that whether the BNP chairperson will get proper treatment from the medical board,” he said.

Meanwhile, several hundred leaders and activists of BNP gathered the Cabin Block of the hospital amid rain to see the party chairperson.

A huge number of police, Rapid Action Battalion, Detective Branch of police and Ansar members was deployed on the hospital premises.

On October 4, the High Court directed the government to immediately admit Khaleda Zia to the BSMMU for treatment.

In response to a writ petition, the court asked the authorities concerned of the government to form a fresh five-member medical board to examine Khaleda Zia’s health condition and start her treatment.

Sources at the BSMMU yesterday said two cabins have been reserved for Khaleda Zia.

The BNP chief was sentenced to five years in jail on February 8 in the Zia Orphanage Trust case. She landed in prison the same day.

The board would be headed by Prof Abdul Jalil Chowdhury of internal medicine and Associate Prof Badrunnesa Ahmed, a physiatrist, of the BSMMU.

On September 9, Khaleda Zia had filed the petition on health grounds as she has been suffering from various illnesses.

The government on September 13 had formed a medical team, led by Prof Abdul Jalil Chowdhury, for examining her condition.

Other members of the team were Prof Harisul Haque, a cardiologist; Prof Abu Zaffar Chowdhury, an orthopedic surgeon; Associate Prof Tariq Reza Ali, an ophthalmologist; and Associate Prof Badrunnesa Ahmed of the BSMMU.

During the hearing on the petition on October 3, Khaleda's lawyer AJ Mohammad Ali told the court that the government had formed the medical board with doctors from Swadhinata Chikitsak Parishad.

As a result, Khaleda Zia may not get proper treatment from that board, he argued.

He appealed before the HC to direct the government to send Khaleda Zia to specialised United Hospital as per her choice.


(Justnews/ys/2110hr)