Medical board to review Khaleda’s health condition today: Doctor

The 10-member medical board, formed to ensure the treatment of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, is going to sit in a meeting on Tuesday at Evercare Hospital to review her health condition.

Khaleda Zia was shifted to the Coronary Care Unit (CCU) of the hospital with breathing problems on Monday with breathing difficulties.

"Madam's condition is fine as her breathing difficulties eased. The 10-member medical board will examine all the test reports today (Tuesday)," said Mohammad Al Mamun, Khaleda's personal physician and one of the medical board members.

"I'm now going to Evercare Hospital to join the medical board meeting," he told UNB around 1pm.

Replying to a question, Mamun said the medical board will review her current condition and give an opinion on whether she needs treatment abroad.

Meanwhile, a BNP senior leader wishing anonymity said Khaleda's family wants to take her aboard for advanced treatment, and they are now trying to get the government's permission in this regard.

He also said BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir talked to the Home Minister on Monday about their party chief's health condition and treatment aboard.

However, neither Fakhrul nor Khaleda's sister Selima Rahman could be reached over the phone for their comments on the matter.

Khaleda, tested positive for Covid-19 for the second time on 24 April, was admitted to Evercare Hospital on April 27 for a thorough health checkup.

On 28 April, a 10-member medical board, headed by Prof Shahabuddin Talukder, was formed for the treatment of Khaleda at the Evercare Hospital a day after her admission there.

Khaleda Zia tested positive for Covid-19 on 10 April as eight people at her residence were infected with the virus. She underwent the second Covid-19 test on 24 April and her report was positive.

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.

She was released from the prison cell of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) the same day, and she has been staying at her Gulshan house since then.

On 27 August last year, the government extended her release for six more months and it was extended again for six months on 15 March last.

On 8 February, 2018, Khaleda was sent to the Old Dhaka Central Jail after a lower court sentenced her to five years' imprisonment in Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case. The High Court later doubled her jail term.

Khaleda was found guilty in another corruption case the same year. Her party claims both the cases are politically motivated.