Khaleda's treatment
Shato Nagorik requests govt to allow Khaleda to go abroad for treatment
Shato Nagorik Committee, a platform of pro-BNP intellectuals and professionals, on Tuesday urged the government to allow BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia to go abroad for advanced treatment on humanitarian grounds.
In a statement, they said former Prime Minister Khaleda is seriously ill and her condition is now very critical.
“We strongly request the government to allow the beloved leader of the people to go abroad for receiving the most sophisticated treatment as soon as possible purely one humanitarian grounds, shunning all forms of vengeance, narrow party and personal interests,” the statement reads.
It hoped that a sense of well-being would prevail upon the government to take steps for Khaleda’s treatment abroad, playing a responsible role with goodwill.
Also read: Khaleda has to go back to jail for permission to go abroad: Law Minister
“We fear that any kind of delay and excuse could lead to a catastrophe that would not carry a good message for anyone,” the statement warned.
Prof Anwarullah Chowdhury, Prof SMA Faiz, Prof Mahbub Ullah, Prof ZM Tahmida Begum, Prof Wakil Ahmed, Prof Manusur Musa, Prof Abdul Quddus, poet Abdul Hai Sikder, Prof Obaidul Islam, Prof Lutfar Rahman, Prof Rezaul Karim, Prof Iftekharul Alam Masud, Prof Kamrul Ahsan and Prof Farhad Halim Donar, among others, signed the statement.
Khaleda, a 76-year-old former Prime Minister, was readmitted to Evercare Hospital on Saturday six days after she had returned home from the hospital.
On behalf of the BNP chief’s family, her younger brother, Shamim Iskander, submitted an application to the Home Ministry on Thursday urging the government to allow her to go abroad for better treatment.
Also read: Khaleda critically ill, says Fakhrul
The BNP chief's physicians said she has been suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, ophthalmological and dental complications.
A physician at her medical team said Khaleda is now suffering from a critical cardiac problem while her blood sugar is out of control and hemoglobin level in her blood has dropped.
The BNP chief’s family applied to the government twice in May and August earlier, seeking permission to take her abroad for better treatment, but the government denied it, saying that there was no scope for a convict to get such an opportunity.
Khaleda Zia shifted to CCU
BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia was shifted to the Coronary Care Unit (CCU) of Evercare Hospital in the capital early Sunday.
“Madam (Khaleda) is now in CCU,” said her personal medical team member Dr AZM Zahid Hossain without elaborating the reason.
Another physician of the BNP chief’s medical team said wishing anonymity that she was taken to the CCU at 3am from a Cabin to keep her under close observations.
He said Khaleda was taken to the hospital as she was again suffering from intermittent body temperature and uncontrolled diabetes.
The physician also said the BNP chief was looking feeble after undergoing some blood and other tests before shifting her to the CCU.
Read: Govt ‘conspiring to kill’ Khaleda slowly: Abbas
He said the medical board formed earlier for Khaleda’s treatment assessed the reports of her some medical tests and prescribed medicines accordingly.
Earlier, on Saturday, Khaleda was readmitted to Evercare Hospital for follow-up treatment, nearly a week after she was discharged from the same hospital.
The 76-year-old BNP chief was admitted to the hospital as per the advice of the medical board, said Dr Zahid Hossain.
He said Khaleda underwent some medical tests at the hospital after her admission.
It is for the third time that the BNP chief was admitted to the hospital this year for various health complications.
On October 12, Khaleda was admitted to Evercare Hospital for the second time with fever and some other health complications.
Read: Khaleda’s biopsy report sent abroad for review: Dr Zahid
She got back home on November 7 from the hospital after treatment for 26 days.
On October 25, the BNP chief underwent a surgery and biopsy test at Evercare Hospital as she had a small lump in one part of her body.
Later, her biopsy report was sent to the USA and the UK for review and no sign of cancer was detected.
The BNP chief's physicians said she has been suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, ophthalmological and dental complications.
On April 27 last, Khaleda was admitted to Evercare Hospital with Covid infections. She received treatment there until June 19 for post-Covid complications and some other underlying health problems.
Khaleda readmitted to Evercare Hospital
BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia was readmitted to Evercare on Saturday for follow-up treatment, nearly a week after she was discharged from the same hospital.
It is for the third time, the BNP chief was admitted to the hospital this year for various health complications.
The BNP chief along with Sharmila Rahman Sithi, wife of her late son Arafat Rahman Koko, reached the hospital around5:40pm, said her media wing member Sayrul Kabir Khan.
Later, he said the BNP chief was admitted to the hospital as per the advice of the medical board formed earlier for her treatment.
On October 12, Khaleda was admitted to Evercare Hospital for the second time with fever and some other health complications.
She returned home on November 7 from the hospital after treatment for 26 days.
Khaleda’s doctors said they discharged Khaleda from the hospital as her condition improved.
Read: Khaleda to be taken to Evercare Hospital again today
On October 25, the BNP chief underwent a surgery and biopsy test at Evercare Hospital as she had a small lump in one part of her body.
Later, her biopsy report was sent to the USA and the UK for review and no sign of cancer was detected.
The BNP chief’s doctors said she has been suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, ophthalmological and dental complications.
Her family applied to the government twice in May and August this year seeking permission to take her abroad for better treatment, but the government turned it down saying there is no scope for a convicted person to avail of such a scope.
On April 27 last, Khaleda was admitted to Evercare Hospital with Covid infections. She received treatment there until June 19 for post-Covid complications and some other underlying health problems.
Read: Khaleda discharged from hospital
Amid the coronavirus outbreak, the government freed Khaleda Zia from jail for six months through an executive order suspending her sentences on March 25 last year.
On September 19, the government extended for six more months the suspension of her jail term.
It was for the fourth time the government extended her release by suspending her jail sentences in Zia Orphanage Trust and Zia Charitable Trust graft cases based on two conditions.
As per the conditions, Khaleda Zia will not be allowed to go abroad for treatment as she will have to stay home and receive treatment there. She was released earlier on the same conditions.
Khaleda to return home from hospital this afternoon
BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia is going to return home this (Sunday) afternoon from the capital’s Evercare Hospital after treatment for 27 days for various health complications.
“Doctors have decided to discharge Madam (Khaleda) from the hospital as her condition improved,” her media wing member Sayrul Kabir Khan told UNB.
He said Khaleda is going to leave the hospital for her Gulshan residence in the afternoon.
Read: Khaleda’s biopsy report sent abroad for review: Dr Zahid
On October 12, Khaleda Zia was admitted to Evercare Hospital for the second time with fever and some other health problems.
On October 25, the BNP chief underwent a surgery and biopsy test at Evercare Hospital as she had a small lump in one part of her body.
Later, her biopsy report was sent to the USA and the UK for review.
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The BNP chief has been undergoing treatment under a medical board formed earlier. Her doctors said she has been suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, ophthalmological and dental complications.
Her family applied to the government twice in May and August this year seeking permission to take her abroad for better treatment, but the government turned it down saying there is no scope for a convicted person to avail of such a scope.
Earlier on April 27, Khaleda was admitted to Evercare Hospital with Covid infections. She received treatment there until June 19 for post-Covid complications and some other underlying health problems.
Khaleda shifted to cabin from ICU
BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia, undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in the city, has been shifted to a cabin from a surgical ICU.
“Madam (Khaleda) was shifted to a cabin on Monday night and she’s doing well. She was given liquid food in the morning,” Khaleda’s personal physician Prof AZM Zahid Hossain told UNB on Tuesday.
Read: Khaleda undergoes biopsy test, but 'out of danger': Fakhrul
On Monday, Zahid said the BNP chief underwent a biopsy as she has a small lump in one part of her body.
He said the biopsy was conducted to detect the nature of the origin of the lump. After the biopsy, she was taken to the surgical ICU.
Asked when the biopsy report will be available, Zahid said it may take more than 72 hours to get the biopsy results.
He said Khaleda urged all to pray for her speedy recovery.
On October 12, Khaleda Zia was admitted to the Evercare Hospital for the second time with fever and some other health complications.
The BNP chief has been undergoing treatment under a medical board formed earlier. Her doctors said she has been suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, ophthalmological and dental complications.
Her family applied to the government twice in May and August this year seeking permission to take her abroad for better treatment, but the government turned it down saying there is no scope for a convicted person to avail of such an advantage.
On April 27, Khaleda was admitted to the Evercare Hospital with Covid infections. She received treatment there until June 19 for post-Covid complications and some other underlying health problems.
Khaleda still suffering from fever: says her sister
BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital on Tuesday, is still suffering from fever, her sister Selima Islam said on Friday.
“She (Khaleda) is still suffering from intermittent fever, leading to an appetite loss. She has been eating very little for the past few days,” she told reporters.
Selima said she could not visit Khaleda at the hospital as she was asked not to go there considering her old age.
She said her brother Shamim Iskander’s wife visited the BNP chief on Thursday and talked to doctors. “We came to know about her health from my brother’s wife.”
Asked whether they will submit any fresh application to the government seeking permission for sending the BNP chief abroad for treatment, she said they will think of it after consultation with Khaleda.
"We had earlier sought government permission twice. “Even my brother (Shamim Iskander) met the Home Minister, but they didn’t give permission,” Selima said.
Read:Khaleda admitted to Evercare Hospital
She said BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday categorically said the treatment of Khaleda is not possible in the country.
In response to another question, Selima said she still did not talk to Khaleda about taking any move to send her abroad. “Nothing can be done without her opinion.”
Khaleda Zia was again admitted to Evercare Hospital on Tuesday for treatment and medical tests.
Khaleda underwent some medical tests, including an ultrasonogram, said a member of her personal medical team.
“We received some reports of the tests we gave her some medicines accordingly. Alongside fever, she has many other complications,” he said.
The physician said the medical board formed earlier for her treatment, led by Dr Shahabuddin Talukder, has been providing the BNP chief necessary treatment. “But her complete treatment is not possible here. She needs to go to any advanced centre abroad.”
Read:Khaleda's bail extended by one year in 5 cases
On April 27, Khaleda Zia was admitted to Evercare Hospital with Covid infections. She received treatment there until June 19 for post-Covid complications and some other underlying health problems.
Amid the coronavirus outbreak, the government freed Khaleda Zia from jail for six months through an executive order suspending her sentences on March 25 last year.
On September 19, the government extended for six more months the suspension of her jail term with conditions that she will stay in her Gulshan residence and will not leave the country.
Her family applied to the government twice in May and August this year seeking permission to take her abroad for better treatment, but the government turned it down saying there is no scope for a convicted person to avail of such a scope.
Khaleda must return to jail for seeking permission to go abroad: Law Minister
Law Minister Anisul Huq on Sunday said BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia must return to jail for submitting a fresh application seeking permission to go abroad for treatment.
Talking to UNB, Anisul also said his ministry has already given an opinion for extending further by six months the suspension of Khaleda’s jail sentences following an application submitted by her family to the government.
“There’s no scope to reconsider the application seeking permission to send Khaleda Zia abroad under section 401 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC). She has to go back to jail and then submit a fresh application if she wants to go abroad for treatment,” the minister said.
Read: Ailing Khaleda’s family seeks permission to send her abroad
Khaleda’s family seeks permission again to send her abroad
The family of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has submitted an application to the government seeking further extension of her conditional release and allowing her to go abroad for receiving advanced treatment.
On behalf of the family, Khaleda's younger brother Shamim Iskander recently submitted the application to the Home Ministry, an official at the ministry said on Tuesday.
Contacted, Law Minister Anisul Huq told UNB, “As the suspension of Khaleda Zia jail sentences is going to end on September 24, her family has applied for its extension.”
In the application, the minister said, the BNP chief’s family claimed that her physical condition has worsened due to post-Covid complications, and they again sought the government permission to send her abroad for treatment.
Read: Ailing Khaleda’s family seeks permission to send her abroad
Upon their application, Anisul said, the Home Ministry sent a file to the Law Ministry a few days back seeking its legal opinion.
“We gave our opinion over the matter, and sent the file back to the Home Ministry this (Tuesday) morning,” he said.
The minister said the Home Ministry will now send the file to the Prime Minister’s Office for approval.
Asked what opinion he gave, Anisul declined to disclose it.
Amid the coronavirus outbreak, the government freed Khaleda Zia from jail for six months through an executive order suspending her sentences on March 25 last year.
Read: Khaleda’s family submits application seeking her release
The government extended her release for six more months on August 27 last year and it was extended further for another six months on March 15 last.
Khaleda Zia tested positive for Covid-19 on April 10, and she was admitted to Evercare Hospital on April 27. She received treatment there until June 19 for post-Covid complications and some other underlying health problems.
On May 5, her family applied to the government seeking permission to take her abroad for better treatment, but the government turned it down saying there is no scope for a convicted person to avail of such a scope.
Govt trying to ‘obstruct’ Khaleda's treatment abroad: BNP
BNP on Tuesday alleged that the government is deliberately trying to obstruct the advanced treatment of its ailing chairperson Khaleda Zia.
“Our leader Khaleda Zia is currently seriously ill. When her family members submitted an application to send her abroad in May last, the law minister himself said Khaleda Zia's travel abroad was possible only if the conditions under which she was released were revised,” said party organising secretary Syed Emran Saleh Prince.
Speaking at a press conference at BNP’s Naya Paltan central office, he said the law minister’s such remarks were published in various international media, including the BBC and Al-Jazeera, and also in the local media.
Also read: Khaleda has to seek presidential pardon to go abroad, says law minister
“But now he (the law minister) is saying it’s not possible to make a U-turn. It’s manifested that the government is deliberately obstructing the treatment of our leader,” the BNP leader said.
He criticised Information Minister Hasan Mahmud for his remark that the government needs to rethink about taking back Khaleda to jail, saying the minister issued such a threat as BNP is raising voice in favour of people at this difficult time of the country.
“The government is trying to hush up its failure to deceive people by spreading a smear campaign against the BNP and issuing the threat of jail and repression,” Prince observed.
Also read: BNP hits back at PM over her remarks on Zia, Khaleda
He said their party chief is not completely freed yet from jail as she is apparently in prison with various conditions. “The government is now trying to hamper her treatment with those conditions.”
Prince alleged that the police keep arresting BNP leaders and activists in different districts, including Chattogram, Mymensingh, Kishoreganj, and Bagerhat, amid the countrywide strict lockdown.
Stating that a day-labourer, Din Isalm, in Munshiganj's North Muktarpur killed himself out of hunger on Sunday, he alleged that the government is not providing necessary relief assistance to the poor and helpless people during the lockdown.
Also read: No reason to seek presidential clemency by Khaleda: BNP
Prince urged the government to ensure adequate food and financial assistance for low-income and jobless people affected by the lockdown, including public transport workers, hawkers, shop workers, small traders and day-labourers.
Refuting the ruling party leaders’ comment that many BNP leaders are trying to join Awami League, he said Awami League is now a ‘sinking’ ship. “No one wants to get on a sinking ship. Those who are passengers of the ‘sinking’ ship are making such comments to hide their failures. You'd rather see in the future how many people are jumping out of the sinking ship to save themselves.”
Send Khaleda abroad for treatment: Pro-BNP journos
A group of pro-BNP journalists on Saturday demanded the government take necessary steps to ensure advanced treatment for former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia abroad.
The demand was made in a statement signed by 1,557 journalists from across the country. Dhaka Union of Journalist (DUJ) president Kader Gani Chowdhury issued the statement.
“Begum Khaleda Zia's physical condition is currently at high risk. Under such a situation, there shouldn’t be any politics over her treatment,” the statement said.
As a top politician in the country, a former prime minister, a senior citizen, a woman and as a prisoner, they think Khaleda has the minimum human rights to receive proper and advanced treatment.
“It’s our responsibility as a nation to ensure her fundamental rights and justice. So, we sincerely call upon the government to allow Khaleda Zia to receive advanced treatment abroad through freeing her on bail by the court,” the statement added.
Also read: BNP seeks govt’s prompt steps to send Khaleda abroad
The journalists hoped that the government will show sympathy towards Khaleda rising above politics considering her overall contributions to the country as a patriotic politician and the difficult period of her old age.
They said people will take it positively if the government takes steps for removing the barriers towards sending Khaleda abroad for treatment.
The signatories to the statement include senior journalists Reaz Uddin Ahmed, Alamgir Mohiuddin, Aman Ullah, Abul Asad, Shawkat Mahmud, Rezwan Siddiqui, Mostafa Kamal Majumder, Salahuddin Mohammad Babar, Syed Mejbah Uddin Ahmed, Abdul Hai Sikder, Ershad Majumder, Kamal Uddin Sabuj, Syed Abdal Ahmed, Masumur Rahman Khalili, Aminur Rahman Sarkar, M Abdullah, Nurul Amin Rokon, MA Aziz, Quader Gani Chowdhury, Ilias Khan, Shakhawat Hossain Badshah, Rafiqul Islam Azad, Kazi Rawnak Hossain, Bakhtiar Rana, Nuruddin Ahmed, Mahmuda Chowdhury, Nirmal Chakraborty and Khurshid Alam.
On June 19, Khaleda Zia got back home from the capital’s Evercare Hospital after 53 days of treatment for Covid infections and other physical complications.
Also read: Govt turns down family’s application to send Khaleda abroad
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Alamgir at a recent press conference said Khaleda has a heart problem and her kidney and liver complications are very critical and she needs treatment at an advanced centre abroad.
Her family submitted an application to the government on May 6 seeking permission to send her abroad for advanced treatment, but it was turned down.
Amid the coronavirus outbreak, the government freed Khaleda Zia from jail for six months through an executive order suspending her sentences on March 25 last year.