Bleeding has put Khaleda’s life at stake

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia needs to be taken abroad immediately to stop her internal bleeding, which has put her life in balance, said BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.

In the last few days, the best doctors in the country have been trying to identify the source of her bleeding but they could not make any headway for lack of necessary technology and equipment, according to Alamgir, reports UNB.

"Khaleda Zia has been suffering from many diseases, but the main problem is in her stomach. The bleeding from her liver has put her life at stake -- it has to be stopped immediately," he said at a discussion yesterday.

The discussion was organised by pro-BNP student leaders of Dhaka University Central Students Union (Ducsu) and All-Party Students Unity (Apsu) of the 90s at the Dhaka Reporters' Unity marking the 31st death anniversary of Dr Shamsul Alam Khan Milon, a martyr in the 90's anti-autocracy movement.

Khaleda, a 76-year-old former prime minister, was re-admitted to Evercare Hospital on November 13, six days after she had returned home from the hospital.

The BNP chief's physicians said she has been suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, ophthalmological and dental complications.

She needs advanced treatment abroad immediately as she is also suffering from critical cardiac, kidney and liver problems, high blood sugar and low haemoglobin level, they said.

On behalf of the family, Khaleda's younger brother, Shamim Iskander, applied to the home ministry on November 11 urging the government to allow her to go abroad for better treatment.

However, Law Minister Anisul Huq said the government will consider Khaleda's appeal if she submits a fresh petition after returning to jail.

Alamgir went on to criticise the ruling party leaders for what he said were their various 'derogatory' comments on Khaleda Zia's illness.

"It is unfortunate that the ruling party leaders neither have any sense of political etiquette, nor humanitarian values."

On Dr Milon, Alamgir said he was an active political activist. His death sparked the movement that finally led to the fall of the autocratic regime.

"There are differences between fascism and autocracy. The fight we waged that time and the fight we are waging currently has a massive difference. Now the state open fires, police open fires to create a de-politicisation in the country that began on 1/11," he said.

Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, a member of the BNP standing committee, and Amanullah Aman, former VP of Ducso, were present in the programme.