Bangladesh News

Detained Awami League (AL) President Sheikh Hasina has decided to consider positively the suggestions by the jail authorities and her personal doctors to have medical check-ups in the country, her physician said yesterday.

“She [Hasina] has said that she will think about our proposals positively,” Dr ABM Abdullah, one of the personal physicians of the AL chief, told The Daily Star after a meeting with her at the sub-jail on the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban premises.

Hasina had earlier refused to have any medical check-ups, except for her eyes, in the country expressing fear that there would be foul play.

The jail authorities on Thursday agreed to send the ailing former prime minister to any hospital in the country of her choice for medical check-ups and eye treatment.

Dr Abdullah, who will visit the ailing AL chief today as well, said he is expecting she would agree to have check-ups within a couple of days.

Talking to The Daily Star, the doctor said that overall health condition of Hasina was better yesterday than other days but she is having severe hearing problems as both of her hearing aides have been damaged.

He firmly said that there is no alternative but to go to US for treatment of her ears, as it is not possible in the country

Hasina has also been suffering from severe allergic dermatitis and experienced swelling in the last two days, Dr Abdullah said adding that her blood pressure was stable.

She needs to have some important medical tests now including test of liver and kidney functions, ECG, chest x-ray and lipid profile for blood pressure observation, he said.

“It would be better if she is admitted to a hospital. Then we could keep her under observation for at least a couple of days,” Dr Abdullah said adding that he had suggested the AL chief get admitted to the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU).

Meanwhile in a press statement yesterday, 173 teachers of Dhaka University (DU) expressed grave concerns over the health of Sheikh Hasina and urged the government to ensure her proper treatment and release her immediately.

“Today, it is clear to all that the cases filed against her [Hasina] is politically motivated,” said the statement sent by Prof Anwar Hossain of microbiology department, also the general secretary of DU Teachers’ Association (Duta).

It was signed by Dr Harun-or-Rashid, Dr Mohammad Anwar Hossain, Dr AAMS Arefin Siddique, Dr Mizanur Rahman, Dr Muhammad Samad, Prof RIM Aminur Rashid, Dr Mohammad Rahmat Ullah, Dr Mohammad Afzal Hossain, Mahbuba Nasreen, among others.

Meanwhile, Hasina’s only son Sajeeb Wazed Joy yesterday urged the government to allow her mother to go to US for medical treatment.

Talking to New York based-America News Agency (ANA), Joy said the government would have to shoulder the responsibility if anything happens to her mother for not receiving proper treatment.