<i>Pintu down with curious ‘sickness’ </i>
Discrepancies have been found in medical papers of former BNP lawmaker Nasiruddin Ahmed Pintu, who has been at the prison cell of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) Hospital now for around two months and half.
Independent specialists who have examined the dossier said it seems to have been designed to be used at court to Pintu's advantage.
The discrepancy issue comes close on the heels of Mosaddak Ali Falu's forgery of medical certificate.
Pintu was shifted to the coronary care unit (CCU) after he complained of 'severe chest pain' 10 days ago. Before that, he was undergoing treatment at general prison ward for eye problems.
Lately, the joint force has launched a probe into his current state of health.
Pintu who is being tried by the Special Court-1 for embezzlement of relief materials did not attend case proceedings on 21, 27 and 29 October. The jail authorities submitted papers explaining the reason for his absence.
The former lawmaker from Lalbagh-Kamrangirchar was produced before the court on November 4. His counsels said his condition is so bad that he could barely speak. He has problems in his eyes and ears.
They argued the case proceedings should be adjourned on medical grounds, but could not produce any certificate issued by a medical board.
Apparently not satisfied with the papers submitted, the judge said he would order an investigation into the matter.
Against this backdrop, BSMMU doctors are planning to send him back to regular bed.
The BNP leader's CCU file shows he was taken there at 5:00pm on October 27. His blood pressure (110 / 70) and pulse (78) were normal the following day.
It however does not contain any report of ECG (electrocardiogram) that could be done immediately before or after transfer to CCU. It even lacks any cardiologist's advice.
Graph of his last ECG (October 19) shows his heart was working normally.
A cardiac specialist who has gone through Pintu's medical papers said his heartbeat is regular and this is unusual for a patient of atrial fibrillation (abnormal heart rhythm) or unstable angina (bumpy and fast heartbeat).
“Names of the medicines he needs are written on a plain sheet of paper instead of the prescribed form," said a doctor at the BSMMU.
'To Whom It May Concern' is written on top of the papers where Dr DMM Farukh Osmani suggests that the patient be taken to court with an oxygen mask on. He also recommends a medical officer to accompany Pintu.
The cardiologist who spoke to The Daily Star in return for anonymity said, “Only a specialist doctor can issue such papers, not a mere medical officer [Farukh]. The documents are meant to help Pintu at court."
He also pointed out that for a patient of unstable heartbeat the doctor concerned should mention the quantity of oxygen.
“From all this, we can say that his condition is not that serious."
Contacted, Dr Osmani yesterday said, "Pintu bhai was indeed severely sick. He is doing better now, and he may be sent back to normal bed today."
The former student leader was sent to Dhaka Central Jail on February 12 last year after he surrendered to the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's (CMM) Court in connection with an attempted murder case.
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