A medical board has been formed for the treatment of jailed BNP chief Khaleda Zia.
On Thursday, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) Hospital formed a four-strong panel for the former prime minister, who is now serving a five-year term at the old jailhouse in Dhaka.
“The four-member medical board was formed on Thursday after receiving a letter from the prison authorities,” said BSMMU Hospital Director Abdullah Al Harun.
He, however, did not provide any details.
Sources at the prison authority said that the letter was sent upon the home ministry’s instruction.
The doctors may go the prison on Sept 15 or 16 to examine Khaleda, they said but could not provide any other details except for that the panel includes cardiologist, ophthalmologist and orthopaedics specialist.
Khaleda’s legal team said they were aware of the matter.
“We have heard that a medical board has been formed, but have no details on the members,” said counsel Sanaullah Mia.
On Sept 9, a BNP-delegation led by Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir met Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan over the party chief’s treatment.
After the meeting, Alamgir told the media that the party chief’s medical condition has deteriorated and that they have requested the home minister to transfer Khaleda at her preferred specialised hospital.
Home Minister Khan said then that they would form a medical board for her treatment.
Khaleda’s counsel have also pleaded to special judge’s court hearing the Zia Charitable Trust graft case seeking an order to move her to hospital. They also moved a motion to adjourn the trial proceeding until she recuperates.
A three-time prime minister, Khaleda has been convicted of embezzling foreign donations made to the Zia Orphanage Trust.
She has been serving her five-year prison term since Feb 8 at Old Dhaka Central Jail on Nazimuddin Road.
In April, a medical board was formed amid BNP allegations that the party chief’s physical condition deteriorated. She was brought to the BSMMU Hospital from jail for medical tests, following which the doctors said then her condition was “not that serious.”