The overall health condition of BNP chief Khaleda Zia is fine, however, she is having trouble to walk by herself due to joint pain, says the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU).

On Monday (Apr 1), the 73-year-old former prime minister was shifted to the BSMMU hospital from the old Dhaka Central Jail, where she’s serving term for graft as the lone inmate.

 “According to the doctors, she has pain in her legs and bone joints. Her blood sugar level is high and she is physically weak. Besides she has insufficient sleep and decreased appetite,” BSMMU Hospital’s Director ABM Mahbubul Alam told the media.

“She is unable to walk by herself and needs someone’s assistance to walk,” added the BSMMU Director.

 He also said that Khaleda is not suffering from any major complications.

In response to a query, Alam said, “The current health issues she is experiencing can be treated at the BSMMU as it is a specialised facility.”

On possible changes in the medical board treating the former premier, he said, “From what we understand, she has faith in the current medical board. She spoke with the doctors when they went to see her. We felt that she is satisfied with the doctors.”

“The doctors have prescribed her medicines, which she must continue taking,” Alam added.

Earlier in the day, Khaleda was brought to the hospital around 12:30pm from the jailhouse at the Nazimuddin Road.

On Mar 10, the hospital authorities had taken all necessary preparations to admit the BNP chief there to ensure better treatment as per a court order.

However, she was not taken to the hospital.

On Mar 4, a high-profile BNP delegation led by its Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir met Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan to discuss the condition of Khaleda Zia’s health and her treatment.

A three-time prime minister, Khaleda has been serving a total of 17 year jail term at the Old Dhaka jailhouse for her involvement in the Zia Orphanage Trust and Zia Charitable Trust graft cases.