Khaleda finally agrees to receive treatment

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Detained BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has finally agreed to receive treatment and might be taken to a city hospital anytime.

She however has yet to say whether she would be hospitalised if advised by doctors.

Her nod to the prison authorities’ proposal for treatment outside jail reportedly follows an understanding with the government over release and treatment of her two sons.

For the last few days, the government has been in negotiations with the former prime minister over her release for treatment abroad and participation in the ongoing talks between the military-backed administration and political parties.

But she had been opposed to going broad and was instead pushing for overseas treatment for her detained sons–Tarique Rahman and Arafat Rahman Koko–now undergoing treatment at prison cells at the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU).

Her call for sons’ release grew louder after Awami League (AL) President Sheikh Hasina was freed on executive orders on June 12. The AL chief is now in the US for treatment.

“She has told us that she would take treatment either at United Hospital or Ibne Sina Hospital. But she hasn’t confirmed if she would be admitted to hospital,” Deputy Inspector General (Prisons) Major Shamsul Haider told The Daily Star yesterday.

Khaleda, detained on graft charges, has long been suffering pains in her left hand and shoulder, he said.

“Citing the example of Sheikh Hasina, we had time and again requested her to receive treatment at any hospital she would choose. But she had kept saying no,” he said, adding that the jail authorities have already visited both the hospitals.

“We have already made arrangements so she could be taken to either of the hospitals anytime,” continued Major Siddiqui.

Replying to a query, he said the government did not yet form any medical board for Tarique as was reported in some media.

He said the jail authorities have yet to receive any instructions from the government with regard to further treatment of Tarique and Koko. “We will act only on government orders.”

Family members have already appealed to the government to send the two abroad for better treatment. Sources in the government hinted that the decision regarding them might come in a couple of days.

The government detained Tarique on March 8 last year at their cantonment residence. He is facing nine cases including one for Tk 21-crore bribery over murder of a Basundhara Group executive.

Koko too has been accused in several corruption cases. He was arrested along with her mother on September 3 last year and was admitted to hospital on November 12.

The government on June 5 formed a five-member medical board for him following deterioration of his condition.

Earlier on Wednesday, physicians examined Tarique and Koko and reported that their condition did not improve.

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