Doctor: Khaleda Zia’s condition is not critical

The number of medicines now incarcerated Khaleda Zia takes has been increased following her latest bout of illness, said the head of the medical team that examined her health condition. The BNP chairperson is currently serving a five-year sentence at the former Dhaka central jail after being convicted in a corruption case in February. After she fell sick last Thursday, the government had formed a four-member medical team comprising four professors of Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) with Prof M Shamsuzzaman Shahin as its head. Shamsuzzaman on Monday said they added several more medicines alongside the ones Khaleda Zia currently takes for her ailments. “We have also recommended some tests for her. The prison authorities will have them conducted. We have also advised her to do physical exercise. Although she is sick, her condition is not critical.” “She (Khaleda) told us that she has been experiencing pain on her neck, limbs and waist,” said the doctor. Earlier in the morning, DMCH Deputy Director Dr Shah Alam Talukder had told a press briefing that the media would have to contact the prison officials for update on Khaleda’s physical condition and treatment. “As she is not our patient, we cannot release information regarding her condition. You (journalists) can try and collect the information regarding her treatment from the prison authorities after the medical tests are done,” said Talukder. However, when contacted, Deputy Inspector General of Prisons Touhidul Islam declined to comment. The medical team had examined Khaleda’s health condition on Sunday at the old central jail, where she has been kept since her February 8 conviction in the Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case.

BNP to stage countrywide demo Tuesday

Meanwhile, BNP has announced that it will stage demonstrations across the country on Tuesday demanding the release of its chairperson from jail, reports UNB. "Our party leaders and activists will stage demonstrations at all thanas in the capital, and in all district towns across the country tomorrow (Tuesday) seeking our chairperson's release from jail," said BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi. Speaking at a press briefing at the party's Naya Paltan headquarters on Monday, he urged BNP leaders and followers to make the program a success with their spontaneous participation. On Sunday, the party leaders in Dhaka and other parts of the country distributed leaflets to press home the demand for freeing their chairperson. Rizvi alleged that law enforcers and ruling Awami League activists obstructed their leaflet distribution program at the capital’s Mohakhali and Mirpur areas and in some districts, including Bagerhat, Cumilla, Faridpur and Madaripur. He claimed police also arrested their many leaders and activists during distribution of the leaflets. "We strongly condemn and protest the police action, and demand the release of those arrested."  Sections of this article were first published on banglatribune.com