Govt to form medical board for Khaleda's treatment

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan said on Sunday a medical board will be formed to check the health condition of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and make recommendations to take necessary steps for her medical treatment, reports UNB

The minister came up with the information while talking to reporters after a meeting with a seven-member delegation of BNP at the Secretariat. BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir led the delegation.

"A BNP delegation came to me to talk about the health condition of Khaleda Zia. They've submitted a written statement that their chairperson is sick," Asaduzzaman said.

The minister said BNP earlier had made a request to have Khaleda admitted to a specialised hospital but this time they submitted a written statement in this regard.

"As per the written statement, we've asked the Public Security Division Secretary under the Home Ministry and the Inspector General of Prison to form a medical board with government and Khaleda's personal physicians. They'll conduct medical tests and necessary measures will be taken, if needed, based on their recommendations," the minister told the journalists.

Asaduzzaman said Khaleda Zia has been suffering from various diseases, including arthritis.

"Following the request of BNP, we've allowed an attendant to stay with her in the jail. Physiotherapists, physicians and pharmacists are going to jail regularly to check her. We've provided her with all the facilities as per the jail code," he added.

The minister said he told the BNP delegation that a medical board will be formed and necessary steps will be taken following the recommendations to be made by the board.

Earlier in the day, a delegation of BNP met Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan and requested him to take necessary steps for ensuring better medical treatment of their ailing Chairperson Khaleda Zia at the city's United Hospital.

The seven-member delegation, led by BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, went to the Secretariat to meet the Home Minister at his office around 3:00 pm and made the request.

Talking to reporters after the meeting, Mirza Fakhrul said, "Our Chairperson Khaleda Zia is in jail. Her health condition is deteriorating. We came here to talk to the minister regarding her health condition and requested him to take necessary steps for ensuring her treatment in a specialised hospital."