Govt to admit Hasina to hospital this week
Awami League (AL) President Sheikh Hasina did not yet consent to being admitted to any local hospital.
The government has been urging her to be admitted to any city hospital by this week as recommended by four of her personal physicians, but Hasina has been refusing the request for the last couple of weeks.
The physicians recommended that Hasina should be admitted to any local hospital for carrying out necessary medical tests.
After visiting the detained former premier on Sunday, three other specialist doctors recommended that Hasina should be sent abroad immediately for her ear treatment, otherwise she runs the risk of going completely deaf.
Hasina's personal physician Dr ABM Abdullah, who examined her yesterday for about two hours from 9:45am, told The Daily Star that she did not want to be hospitalised.
However, Deputy Inspector General (DIG-prisons) Major Shamsul Haider Siddiqui told The Daily Star last night, "We are hoping that she will [agree to] be hospitalised by this week."
On March 4, Home Adviser Maj Gen (retd) MA Matin told reporters, "If necessary, we will form a high-powered medical board and take measures in line with its recommendations... we will even send her abroad if the board recommends so."
Inspector General (IG) of Prisons Brig Gen Zakir Hassan following a meeting with Home Affairs Adviser Maj Gen (retd) MA Matin at his home ministry office yesterday told reporters that after Hasina is hospitalised and necessary tests are carried out, the government would certainly take the next steps.
"We suggested her to get admitted before, but she did not agree. We suggested again today and we hope to get a positive response soon," he said.
The IG said during the meeting he informed the adviser of Hasina's health condition. Being unable to confirm the name of the hospital where she might be admitted, he said it could be Square Hospital or any other hospital she prefers.
On whether a medical board would be formed for Hasina, the IG said, "A decision on that will come after her hospitalisation."
Meanwhile, all of Hasina's personal physicians yesterday applied to the jail authorities to allow them to form a medical board and examine Hasina, but they were denied permission, said Hasina's personal physicians Dr Abdullah and Dr MH Millat while speaking with The Daily Star.
The DIG-prisons, however, told The Daily Star, "Within a day or two, we might allow the physicians to sit together."
HASINA'S UNCLE'S PLEA TO CA
Hasina's uncle Sheikh Kabir Hossain in a letter to Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed yesterday said they are gravely concerned about Hasina's health as her health condition has been deteriorating. Hasina's life is in danger due to various reasons including lack of proper treatment, solitary confinement and uncertainty over her future, he also said in the letter.
Sheikh Kabir, a former chairman of Bangladesh Red Crescent Society, urged the chief adviser to take all necessary steps for sending the ailing daughter of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman abroad for immediate treatment after resolving all legal tangles.
ZILLUR'S BRIEFING
Meanwhile, Acting AL President Zillur Rahman yesterday demanded that the caretaker government sends detained AL president Sheikh Hasina abroad for treatment by releasing her without any delay.
Talking to reporters in his Gulshan residence in the capital, where United Arab Emirate (UAE) unit of Prajanmo Bangabandhu donated about two tons of clothes for Sidr victims, Zillur said the AL chief might become permanently deaf if she is not sent to the US immediately as her ear treatment is not possible here.
He also said none from the caretaker government contacted him to discuss the issue of sending Hasina abroad.
JALIL'S HEALTH CONDITION
Meanwhile, Dr Matiur Rahman, chief cardiologist of Labaid Cardiac Hospital, quoting from his conversation with Abdul Jalil over the phone, said the health condition of AL general secretary improved slightly yesterday.
Though Jalil's health has improved a little, his kidney condition remains unchanged and he must undergo kidney dialysis, added Dr Rahman.
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