Khaleda needs to be hospitalised: Medical board

The medical board, formed by the government for jailed BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, on Sunday suggested admitting her to a hospital like BSMMU where the treatment of all health problems is available though they have found ‘no symptom of any serious disease’ in her.

Brigadier General Mohammad Abdullah-Al-Harun, director of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), came up with the information over the phone, reports UNB.

“The medical board has submitted its report and it was sent to the jail authorities,” Dr Harun said.

“The specialist physicians of the medical board didn’t find the symptoms of any risky disease, though she has long been suffering from various diseases and the medical board suggested admitting her to a hospital like BSMMU where the treatment of all health problems is available,” he said.

The five-member medical board examined her physical condition inside Old Dhaka Central Jail here on Saturday afternoon. The government on Thursday formed the five-member fresh medical board comprising BSMMU expert physicians.

They are Prof Abdul Jalil Chowdhury (External Medicine), Prof Harisul Hoque (Cardiologist), Prof Abu Jafar Chowdhury (Orthopedic Surgeon), associate professor Tareq Reza Ali (Eye) and associate professor Badrunnesa Ahmed (Physical Medicine).

The medical board was formed following the meeting of BNP delegation, led by its secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, with Home Minister Asaduzzman Khan on September 10.

Khaleda Zia has been in the erstwhile Dhaka Central Jail at Nazimuddin Road since she was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment in the Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case on February 8.

On April 7 last, Khaleda Zia underwent some medical tests at the BSMMU because of her illness. BNP has been demanding that Khaleda be shifted to United Hospital in the city for her ‘better’ treatment.