Medical board’s report on Khaleda’s health ‘manufactured’: BNP

BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi today alleged that the medical board's report on its Chairperson Khaleda Zia's health is 'manufactured' by the government.

"The statement of the medical board about our leader's (Khaleda's) illness is self-contradictory which reflected the government's thoughts. The medical board gave a manufactured report as per the desire of the government to push Khaleda towards a serious health risk," he said.

Speaking at press conference at the party's Nayapaltan central office, the BNP leader further said, "We strongly condemn and protest the government's such vindictive attitude."

Earlier, on Sunday, the five-member medical board, formed by the government for jailed BNP chief Khaleda, submitted its report suggesting admitting her to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), though they have found 'no symptom of any serious disease' in her.

The government on Thursday formed the medical board comprising five BSMMU expert physicians who examined Khaleda's physical condition inside Old Dhaka Central Jail on Saturday afternoon.

Rizvi alleged that the medical team, which was formed with doctors loyal to the government, conducted a 'so-called 20-minute health examination of the BNP chief, and recommended admitting her to the BSMMU.

He alleged that Khaleda Zia's personal physicians were not kept in the medical board only to make such a recommendation.

Opposing the BNP chief's treatment at the BSMMU, Rizvi said the hospital lacks modern and sophisticated equipment for conducting tests like MRI and CT Scans. "These machines are available in the specialised hospitals."

He criticised the government for not paying heed to their party's repeated demand for ensuring Khaleda's treatment in a specialised hospital.

Rizvi urged the government to include their chairperson's personal physicians in the medical board and take immediate steps for ensuring her proper treatment in United Hospital or any other specialised hospital.

Khaleda Zia has been in the erstwhile Dhaka Central Jail at Nazimuddin Road since she was sentenced to five years' imprisonment in Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case on February 8.

On April 7 last, Khaleda Zia underwent some medical tests at the BSMMU for her illness.