BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday said their party Chairperson Khaleda Zia needs to be taken aboard immediately for treatment to stop bleeding from her liver.
“Khaleda Zia has been suffering from many diseases, but now the main problem is in her liver. The bleeding from her liver has put her life at stake. It has to be stopped immediately,” he said.
Speaking at a discussion, the BNP leader said the best doctors of Bangladesh have been working in many ways for a few days to identify the source of bleeding in her liver, but they cannot make any headway for lack of necessary technology and equipment.
“That’s why doctors are repeatedly saying she needs to be taken to an advanced centre that is equipped with the required technology and devices to identify her problems and the source of bleeding,” the BNP leader said.
Pro-BNP student leaders of Dhaka University Central Students Union (Ducsu) and All- Party Students Unity (Apsu) of the 90s arranged the programme at Dhaka Reporters’ Unity (DRU, marking the Shaheed Dr Milon Day.
On November 27, 1990, Dr Milon, the then joint secretary general of Bangladesh Medical Association (BMA) and a teacher of Dhaka Medical College, was shot dead by gunmen near TSC on the Dhaka University campus on his way to a meeting against the then autocratic ruler HM Ershad.
Fakhrul slammed the ruling party leaders for what he said were their various ‘derogatory’ comments on Khaleda Zia’s illness. “It’s unfortunate that the ruling party leaders neither have any sense of political etiquette, nor humanitarian values.”
He said Awami League leaders are so “arrogant” that they do not hesitate to make “indecent” remarks against anybody, including Khaleda Zia.
Fakhrul reminded the ruling party leaders that Khaleda Zia issued a statement seeking Sheikh Hasina’s release when she was arrested after the 1/11 political changeover in 2007. “You (govt) are now pushing a leader, who believes in democracy, towards death. We all understand why you are not allowing her (to go abroad.)”
The BNP leader said the ruling party thinks its big obstacle to overstay in power will be removed if Khaleda dies.
Under the circumstances, he said, the people of all walks of life and all political forces will have to be united to ‘restore’ democracy and ensure Khaleda’s treatment abroad.
“As I’ve said before, dictatorship and fascism are not the same. Fascism is more terrible. They’ve already destroyed all our achievements, dreams, and hopes and aspirations of independence, the potential of our new generation, the economy and the health sector. Let’s all unite to protect democracy, the independence and sovereignty of the country,” the BNP leader said.
Fakhrul recalled the supreme sacrifice of Dr Milon in establishing democracy in the country, and paid homage to his memory.
He bemoaned that Awami League is now working in a planned way to establish a one-party system of government obliterating democracy. “A conspiracy of depoliticisation began from 1/11. As a result, Begum Khaleda Zia is waiting for death.”
Khaleda, a 76-year-old former prime minister, was readmitted to Evercare Hospital on 13 November, six days after she had returned home from the hospital.
The BNP chief's physicians said she has been suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, ophthalmological and dental complications.
They said Khaleda needs advanced treatment abroad immediately as she is also suffering from critical cardiac, kidney and liver problems, high blood sugar and low hemoglobin level.
On behalf of the family, Khaleda's younger brother, Shamim Iskander, submitted an application to the Home Ministry on November 11 urging the government to allow her to go abroad for better treatment.
However, Law Minister Anisul Huq said the government will consider Khaleda Zia’s appeal if she submits a fresh petition after returning to jail.
