BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday said their party Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s condition worsened as she suffered from internal bleeding again on Tuesday.
Speaking at a human-chain programme, he also bemoaned that the government has cancelled the BNP chief’s application for passport renewal, reports UNB.
“I visited the hospital yesterday (Tuesday) where all doctors were present. Her (Khaleda’s) condition has deteriorated again. She suffered from further bleeding,” the BNP leader said.
Fakhrul said doctors clearly said it is now essential to send the BNP chief to any advanced medical centre abroad for treatment without any delay in a bid to save her life. “She has been in ICU, and her condition has reached such a state that doctors are monitoring her condition every moment and treating her accordingly.”
He said the government has been showing a negative attitude from the very beginning towards her medical issue and it is not taking any step for her treatment abroad.
“We’ve long been on a movement for sending our leader (Khaleda) abroad as doctors are saying there’s no advanced medical centre and equipment in Bangladesh for giving her proper treatment for her liver cirrhosis problem,” the BNP secretary general said.
Pro-BNP Shikshak Karmachari Oikyajote formed the human chain in front of the Jatiya Press Club, demanding BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s treatment abroad.
Fakhrul said the BNP chief’s liver problem has reached a critical stage as she did not get proper treatment during her stay in Old Dhaka Central Jail and later at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU).
“You all saw she went to jail with good health…It was too late when she was brought to PG Hospital (BSMMU) from the jail. She has been gradually pushed towards death,” he said.
Khaleda’s passport renewal application turned down
Fakhrul alleged that the government has cancelled the BNP chief’s application for the renewal of her passport.
He said the government used to say they are looking for a legal option to allow Khaleda to go abroad. “But you (govt) have cancelled her application for the passport. It’s contradictory to your statement.”
The BNP leader called upon the government to take immediate steps for giving Khaleda a new passport and allowing her abroad for treatment. “Or else, you’ll be held responsible if her condition deteriorates further and anything bad happens to her.”
He said the government wants to fool people by talking about legal barriers to allow Khaleda to go abroad. “You (govt) have freed her under section 401 (of the Criminal Procedure Code) imposition a condition that she would not be able to go abroad. It’s only you who can now lift this condition.”
Khaleda, a 76-year-old former prime minister, has been receiving treatment at Evercare Hospital for various health complications since November 13.
Her medical board members on Sunday said she immediately needs to go abroad for better treatment as she was diagnosed with liver cirrhosis.
On behalf of her family, Khaleda's younger brother, Shamim Iskander, submitted an application to the Home Ministry on November 11 urging the government to allow her to go abroad for better treatment.
Law Minister Anisul Huq on Sunday said the government is assessing whether there is any legal option to allow Khaleda to go abroad for medical treatment.
