Inspector General (IG) of Prisons Brig Gen Syed Iftekhar Uddin has said BNP chief Khaleda Zia will be sent to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) for medical check-up on Tuesday if Khaleda agrees to do so.
He made the statement while addressing journalists on Monday afternoon at his office in Dhaka’s Bakshibazar.
He said: “BSMMU has all the machineries necessary to undergo the tests she [Khaleda] needs.
“We already informed BSMMU to make prior preparations in this regard. If Khaleda Zia agrees, only then she will be taken to the hospital.”
Inspector General of Prisons Brig Gen Syed Iftekhar Uddin briefing the media at his office on June 11, 2018 | Focus BanglaWhen asked about BNP’s demand to take Khaleda Zia to United Hospital – which was also suggested by Khaleda's personal physicians – the IG (Prisons) said: "There is no scope for government spending for such medical treatment in private hospitals as per the jail code."
However, if the government wants to sanction it they can do it, he said adding that: “In that case it must be clear as to who would bear the treatment expenses and how that could be done.”
Dr FM Siddiqui, one of the physicians who tended to BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia on Saturday afternoon, has confirmed that she lost consciousness on June 5 due to the result of a Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) – a kind of mild stroke.
When asked about the incident, the IG (Prisons) said: "She was not fully conscious, she was feeling slightly imbalanced."
When asked about Khaleda’s physical condition, he also said: “We are not saying that she is fully fit, but she is a little unwell. Her physical condition is how it is supposed to be at her age.”
When asked what Khaleda would do during Eid day, he said: “She will be allowed to enjoy all facilities according to the jail code which includes visitation of family – who, in turn, will be allowed to bring food for her, they want.”