BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s three personal physicians on Saturday feared that she can be crippled and lose her eyesight if she is not given proper treatment immediately in any specialised hospital.
BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, however, alleged that their ‘critically ill’ chairperson cannot be taken to a specialised hospital for better treatment as a file in this regard remains stuck at the Prime Minister’s Office. “We’ve come to know that the jail authorities in consultation with doctors recommended sending her (Khaleda) to a specialised hospital. What we’ve heard that this file remains stuck at the Prime Minister’s Office,” Fakhrul said.
He came up with the allegation at a press conference at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office. Khaleda’s three physicians also spoke at the press conference about her physical condition.
The BNP secretary general said their chairperson’s health condition is gradually falling for lack of proper treatment only because of the government’s delay in taking a decision to send her whether to United Hospital or Apollo Hospitals.
Referring to the BNP chairperson’s doctors’ opinions about her health condition, he said her health condition can seriously be deteriorated if the government does not immediately allow her to receive proper treatment. “We once again urge the government to send our leader to a specialised hospital without any delay.”
Otherwise, Fakhrul warned, the government will be held responsible if anything bad happens to Khaleda, and it will have to be accountable to people. “We hope the good sense will prevail upon the government to ensure proper treatment of our leader as per the recommendations by the Home Ministry and the jail authorities.
He recalled that current Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was taken to Square Hospital from jail for her eye problem during the 1/11 government in 2007.
The BNP leader alleged that the government is not providing Khaleda with proper treatment as part of its ‘evil’ motive to keep her away from politics and election.
Speaking at the programme, BNP standing committee member Nazrul Islam Khan said the Home Minister and the IG Prison during a meeting with him on April 22 assured that Khaleda will be taken for treatment wherever it is necessary as per doctors’ recommendation. “But no step has so far been taken in this regard.”
Nazrul said, the government’s negligence towards a 73-year-old sick former Prime Minister is not only inhuman but also a bad-political manner.
Khaleda Zia’s personal physician and neuro medicine expert Dr Syed Wahidur Rahman said Khaleda Zia now does not get strength in her left hand and feels pain in her neck as she has been suffering from ‘cervical spondylosis’. Besides, he said her fingers in her hands has got swollen, causing huge pain for her ‘rheumatoid arthritis’ problem. “She can’t walk due to degeneration of bones in her west and problem in her spinal code.”
“She (Khaleda) may get weaker, suffer from paralysis and can lose control on urine and stool. She needs proper treatment, examination, healthy environment and physiotherapy right now. These are not possible to ensure in jail,” he added. Her another doctor and orthopedic expert Prof Sirajuddin Ahmed said Khaleda cannot properly move her hands and knees due to ‘rheumatoid arthritis’ and some other physical problems.
“She now needs to receive treatment in a ventilated room and healthy atmosphere. Her condition will deteriorate further if she stays inside the old and unhealthy room in the jail. Madam can become crippled and lose her working ability and the energy of life if she doesn’t receive proper treatment for a long time,” he viewed. Eye specialist Dr Abdul Quddus said Khaleda has been suffering from various eye-related problems. “We’ve heard her eyes got turned red. Once her cornea gets dried, it won’t be possible to restore it even in 15 years, and she may become blind anytime.”
The three doctors suggested ensuring treatment of Khaleda in any specialised hospital without further delay.
