BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia is headed back to the prison at old Dhaka’s Nazimuddin Road after undergoing medical tests at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU).
The former prime minister had left the prison in a black vehicle around 11:15 am on Saturday.
An ambulance and two other cars followed her vehicle. RAB provided security for the convoy.
Khaleda Zia arrived at BSMMU under strict security around 11:30 am. She got off the car and boarded an elevator to the cabin block.
BSMMU officials said she stayed at cabin 512.
Khaleda Zia has undergone an X-Ray and a blood test, they said. The hospital’s Department of Radiology and Imaging’s X-Ray Room 1/A and Cabin Block Department of Pathology Blood Test Room were prepared for her tests.
“She reached the hospital safely under our care,” Dhaka Joint Police Commissioner Sheikh Nazmul Alam told the media.
A group of BNP activists protested at the BSMMU gates as Khaleda Zia arrived. Five of them were detained by police.
A cabin at BSMMU was made ready for the former prime minister at the request of jail authorities, said BSMMU Treasurer Ali Asgor Moral.
“We are preparing a cabin for her,” he briefed the media at 9:45 am. “A medical board formed for her treatment will examine her condition.”
Asked whether she would be admitted to BSMMU, Ali Asgor said, “That is a matter of the board to decide.”
The 73-year-old Khaleda Zia is the lone prisoner of the jail in the old Dhaka’s Nazim Uddin Road, serving her five-year prison sentence in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case.
Dhaka Medical College Department of Orthopedics chief Md Shamsuzzaman heads the board formed for Khaleda’s treatment. Other board members are Dr Mansur Habib (neurology), Titu Mia, and Soheli Rahman (physical medicine).
The board examined the BNP chairperson in prison last week and stated at the time that her illness was not serious.
Khaleda Zia’s personal doctors had previously noted that she had heart, eye and knee problems and regularly took medicine.
On Apr 8, jail authorities denied a request from her personal doctors to meet her.
The BNP has expressed its concern over the party chief’s health. BNP leader Moudud Ahmed has claimed the board formed for her treatment was just for show.
On Friday, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir visited Khaleda.
“Madam’s health is not good,” he told the media afterwards. Her arthritis has been deteriorating. She is finding it difficult to walk. She also has symptoms of neurological problems. She is truly suffering from some medical difficulties.”
The BNP secretary general requested that Khaleda’s personal doctors be allowed to visit her, reports bdnews24.
“We believe that she should undergo medical tests from those doctors who have previously taken care of her. She needs proper treatment without any delay.”