The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Detained former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was sent back to makeshift jail in Parliament complex Thursday after medical checkup at Square Hospital in the capital Dhaka.

Sheikh Hasina, arrested in link with an extortion case on July 16 last year, has been suffering from several health complications, including high blood pressure, allergy and hearing problem caused by the impact of deadly grenade attacks at her rally in the city on August 21, 2004.

Deputy Inspector General (Prisons) Major Shamsul Haider Siddiqui told journalists that a 10-member medical team checked up her for several hours.

Members of the medical board are-Prof Dr Syed Modasser Ali, Prof Dr MH Millat, Prof Dr ABM Abdullah, Prof Dr Mirza Nazim Uddin, Prof Dr Monwar Hossain, Dr ABM Sarwar Alam, Dr Tauhiduzzaman, Dr Shah Alam, Dr Shaheen Mahmud and Dr Suraiya Bulbul.

Sheikh Hasina, also the President of the Awami League (AL), was brought to Square Hospital at about 10 a.m. amidst tight security. She was taken back to the jail at about 1:15 p.m.

Hospital sources said the AL Chief was prescribed medicines for high blood pressure, allergy and other minor ailments.

Sources said she was sent back to the jail for security reason, while Major Shamusl Haider Siddiqui said, "Since the doctors did not advise her to get admitted, so the former Prime minister was taken back to the prison."

"We bring her to the hospital again whenever necessary arises or she wants to come for medical checkup," he added.

Sheikh Hasina expressed her desire to be treated at the Square Hospital ending her weeklong denial to get medical treatment in the country, as jail authorities insisted that the Jail Code does not allow sending a detinue abroad for medical treatment.

She, however, remain equally adamant not to treat her ear complications in the country, the sources added.