Chamily forgotten again

Rajshahi lawmaker Fazle Hossain Badsha is sending former women's national team cricketer Camily Khatun abroad after he found that government authorities had left her uncared for since flying her to Dhaka for treatment.

The lawmaker said that he only learnt of her condition upon visiting her at the National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation in Dhaka yesterday morning.

"Those who took responsibility for her treatment and flew her to Dhaka have not come to see her again since admitting her to hospital. They have not even inquired about her," Badsha, also general secretary of the Workers' Party, said.

"I asked her relatives to collect their passports in order to take Chamily abroad. I am sending her wherever she prefers treatment -- either India or Thailand," Badsha said.

Chamily suffered an injury during a practice session in 2011 and has not received proper treatment since.

After news of her condition broke, Rajshahi's mayor rushed to her house. He donated money and, on November 2, the Rajshahi district administration flew her to Dhaka and admitted her to the hospital following directives from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO).

"Doctors here told me that they can perform the surgery. But then why don't other cricketers have surgeries performed here? I need a treatment that will help me play again," Chamily said.

Chamily added that she had been using the money she received from donations in order to pay her bills at the hospital. She was also upset that none of the officials returned to visit her after she was admitted to hospital.

When contacted, Rajshahi Deputy Commissioner SM Abdul Kader said that, after taking her to Dhaka, it was the responsibility of the hospital authority, the PMO and the Bangladesh Cricket Board to look after Chamily.

"I couldn't know from Rajshahi how she is doing at the hospital in Dhaka," he said.

However, Badsha said he would gather the money for her treatment at any cost.

"As a representative of Rajshahi dwellers, I have the responsibility to protect our own. I will not let a national cricketer from our city go without the treatment she desires."