Bangladesh News

The government yesterday formed two separate five-member medical boards for detained former premier and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina and BNP chairperson’s youngest son Arafat Rahman Koko.

The boards formed by the health ministry examined Hasina at the special jail from 1:00pm to 2:00pm and Koko from 1:30pm to 2:30pm at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU).

There was also a move to form a board for detained former prime minister and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, but the board was not finally formed yesterday and sources said it might be formed today or tomorrow.

Different sources said formation of the medical boards is the government’s bid to send the two party chiefs abroad as the authorities have taken up initiatives to find out ways for their release–conditional or unconditional–to pave the way for a successful dialogue with participation of the two parties.

The authorities had unofficial talks with the two leaders at various levels at the special jails in the last few weeks, the sources said.

The board for Hasina is led by National Eye Science Institute and Hospital Director Prof Syed Maruf Ali and comprises Dr Shamim Ahmed, director of National Kidney Institute, Prof ABM Abdullah, medicine specialist of BSMMU and Hasina’s personal physician, HM Nazmul Ahsan, medicine specialist of Dhaka Medical College Hospital, and Dr Momtaz Uddin of the health directorate.

Prof Abdullah, however, told The Daily Star that he does not even know a board had been formed for Hasina let alone him being its member.

Chest Diseases Hospital Director Prof Mustafizur Rahman leads the board formed for Koko.

Talking to The Daily Star last night, Deputy Inspector General of Prisons Maj Shamsul Haider Siddiqui said, “Although the board members examined them [Hasina and Koko], they did not submit the reports yet.”

Replying to a query, he said, “We are not aware whether the boards were formed to send them abroad.” He said representatives from the jail authorities were present during the check-ups.

Both the boards found Hasina and Koko suffering from various aliments. The board for Hasina primarily suggested that some treatment including that for her ears would have to be conducted abroad.

After getting the reports of the boards, the government would take necessary steps within several days, according to the sources.