Khaleda's condition 'not serious'

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has been suffering from some old as well as several newly developed health conditions, but none of them are serious, a medical board found after examining her in the old central jail in the capital yesterday.

The team spoke with Khaleda, 73, and observed her health condition in presence of Dhaka's Civil Surgeon Ehsanul Karim, said Prof Shamsuzzaman, head of orthopedic department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital, also chief of the four-member board.

“She [Khaleda] already had some complications and she has developed some new problems. But her overall condition is not critical,” he told The Daily Star.

He declined to give any details about her condition, but said they gave her some advice.

The three other board members are Prof Mansur Habib (neurology), Prof Titu Miah (medicine) and Prof Sohely Rahman (psychical medicine), all from the DMCH.

The team will hold a meeting with the hospital authorities today and then decide about providing her treatment, said DMCH Director AKM Nasiruddin.

Meanwhile, Health Minister Mohammed Nasim yesterday said they were enquiring about Khaleda's health all the time and took all necessary measures for her treatment.

Nasim, also an Awami League presidium member, urged the BNP not to spread “rumors” about Khaleda's health.

On Friday, the BNP expressed concern over Khaleda's health condition and demanded that the government immediately allow her personal physicians to examine her.

The party has also called for Khaleda's release from jail for better treatment at home or abroad.

The former prime minister landed in jail on February 8, after a Dhaka court sentenced her to five years' in prison in the Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case.