BNP demands better treatment for Khaleda
Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on Monday demanded the government take step to ensure better treatment of their chairperson Khaleda Zia at United Hospital in the city as her health condition has deteriorated further in jail.
BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi came up with the demand at a press conference at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office, reports UNB.
“Our chairperson’s health condition has worsened further. The pain in her hands, legs and west has intensified. She needs to immediately undergo MRI and receive better treatment,” he said.
Rizvi voiced deep concern over Khaleda’s serious illness in jail.
“We strongly demand the government take steps to ensure better treatment for Khaleda Zia by her personal physicians at United Hospital as per her choice.”
Asked how they got information about their chairperson’s physical condition, he said Khaleda’s relatives and lawyers who met her in jail informed them about it. “It’s not wise to always talk about the source of information.”
On 8 February last, a special court in Dhaka sentenced Khaleda to five years’ rigorous imprisonment in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case.
On 1 April, the government formed a medical team with four professors of Dhaka Medical College Hospital to examine her health condition and ensure her treatment in the jail as she reportedly fell sick on 29 March.
She was taken to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) on 7 April, and underwent some x-ray and blood tests.
Rizvi alleged the medical board suggested providing Khaleda with an orthopedic bed in jail, but the authorities concerned did not take any step in this regard.
He also alleged that the jail authorities are harassing and repressing Khaleda at the behest of the prime minister only to demoralise her.
BNP came up with the demand on the day when a Narail court fixed 8 May for hearing on appeal petition filed seeking BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia’s bail in another case over ‘derogatory remarks’ against freedom fighters.
On 23 August 2016, the court issued warrant for the arrest of BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia for her ‘derogatory’ remarks on the number of the freedom fighters during the Liberation War.
On 25 July, last, a court summoned Khaleda over the issue.
On 21 December 2015, Khaleda Zia at a discussion at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh raised questions about the actual number of Liberation War martyrs saying, “There’re controversies over how many were martyred in the Liberation War. There’re also many books and documents on the controversies.