BNP to bear Khaleda treatment cost at United

Khaleda Zia
Khaleda Zia

As jailed BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia declined to take treatment at the government's facilities, authorities may consider her admission at a private hospital if a decision is made as to who will bear costs.

Her Bangladesh Nationalist Party on Tuesday said it will bear the expenses required for treatment of the former prime minister at private United Hospital.

Saying this, BNP standing committee member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain urged the government to take Khaleda Zia to the United Hospital in the city's Gulshan area, without any delay.

"Khaleda Zia has fallen seriously ill as the government has not taken adequate measures for her treatment," he told a press conference at the party's Naya Paltan central office.

After visiting Khaleda Zia in jail on Saturday, member of 4-member personal physicians, FM Siddique told newsmen that Khaleda Zia suddenly fell down on 5 April.

She might have suffered a mild stroke, the physician said.

Since then, BNP has been demanding that Khaleda Zia be admitted to United Hospitla for her treatment.

Already, the family of Khaleda Zia sent a letter to the home minister seeking the ministry's permission for her treatment at the United Hospital, reports UNB.

Shamim Iskander, younger brother of Khaleda Zia, submitted the letter to the home ministry on Tuesday.

He mentioned in the letter that that all the expenses of her treatment will be borne by him.

Inspector general (Prisons) brigadier general Syed Iftekhar Uddin earlier on Monday said it would require a decision from higher authorities to admit Khaleda Zia at a private hospital.

"So Khaleda Zia will be taken to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) on Tuesday," he then said.

However, Khaleda Zia declined to go to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU).

The IG prisons had also said if BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia is admitted to a private hospital, a decision should be taken as to who would bear the cost.   

BNP leader Mosharraf warned that the consequence would not be good should the treatment of Khaleda Zia be delayed for political vengeance.

Khaleda Zia has been kept at an abandoned building of former jail in the city's Nazimuddin Road area, since her conviction in a graft case on 8 February.