Jalil improves slightly

The physical condition of detained Awami League (AL) General Secretary Abdul Jalil improved slightly last night, attending physicians said.
Chief cardiologist Dr Matiur Rahman of Labaid Cardiac Hospital in the capital said that Jalil's health did not deteriorate further compared to Wednesday.
"Rather his [Jalil's] health improved a little," he told The Daily Star at about 9:00pm.
The ailing AL leader has been undergoing treatment at the hospital for the past couple of months.
Dr Matiur Rahman, who is also the chief of the medical board formed for Jalil's treatment, said that they have reviewed the medications of Jalil and changed those last night.
A blood test is done to find out about the patient's kidney functions, the doctor said adding that if the result is positive, then it is good, otherwise the AL leader would need to undergo dialysis.
Dr Matiur said that there is no need to send Jalil abroad for treatment right now and they did not make any such suggestion to government.
However, highly placed sources said that the government might consider sending the AL leader to Singapore if his medical board recommends.
Jalil will be under close observation till Sunday when a board of doctors would examine him and decide whether he requires dialysis or transplant, Dr Matiur said.
Asked if Jalil would be allowed to go to Singapore for treatment, Deputy Inspector General (prisons) Major Shamsul Haider Siddique said, "It isn't possible according to the jail code. However, they [doctors at Labaid] are trying to ensure the best treatment for him [Jalil]."
AL acting president Zillur Rahman yesterday demanded the caretaker government immediately release party general secretary Abdul Jalil on humanitarian grounds without any condition.
Jalil needs to be sent to Mount Elizabeth Hospital in Singapore without delay, where he used to have treatment earlier, for saving his life, Zillur said in a press statement.
The AL leader's condition became critical since last week as both of his kidneys stopped functioning properly. As a result, his face, hands and legs have swollen, doctors said.
The 67-year-old AL general secretary was detained on May 28, 2007 on charge of violating emergency power rules. A few days later, he was admitted to the hospital with heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, kidney, neurological and eye ailments.
On December 18, 2007, a case was filed against him. However, the case did not make any mentionable progress till the date.