3 doctors from US to arrive tomorrow to help in Khaleda's treatment

Three physicians from the US will arrive in Dhaka tomorrow to assist in treating BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, a member of the medical board formed for her treatment said.

Among the three physicians, one is a hepatologist, one is an interventionist and the other is a nephrologist.

Contacted, Dr Rafiqul Islam, BNP's health affairs secretary, confirmed the matter.

The BNP chief has been suffering from multiple health complications, including arthritis, diabetes, kidney issues, liver problems, and heart diseases for a long time, said the medical board.

On September 12, the government extended the suspension of Khaleda's jail sentence by six more months with the same two conditions as before -- she would not be able to go abroad and she has to receive treatment in the country.

Khaleda was freed from jail on March 25, 2020, after the government suspended her jail sentence for six months. She was released during a time when the world was grappling with the coronavirus pandemic. The BNP chief landed in jail on February 8, 2017, after being sentenced to five years' imprisonment by a special court in Dhaka in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case.

On October 30, the following year, the High Court enhanced her punishment to 10 years after dismissing her appeal.

The former prime minister was convicted by another special court in Dhaka in the Zia Charitable Trust corruption case on October 29, 2018. She was sentenced to seven years' imprisonment by the court.