The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Three personal physicians have examined the health condition of detained former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her prison-bunglow while her party's General Secretary Abdul Jalil has undergone kidney operation at the Mount Elizabeth Hospital in Singapore yesterday.

The three medical experts, who observed the state of Sheikh Hasina's ailments in two phases yesterday, were-Dr Shaila Khatun, Prof Dr ABM Abdullah and Dr Baren Chakrabarti.

Obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr Shaila Khatun, also a personal friend of Sheikh Hasina, scrutinised her ailments from 10:55 am and 12:38 pm, while Prof Dr ABM Abdullah of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) and Cardiologist Dr Baren Chakrabarti of LabAid Hospital from 4:15pm to 7: 45 pm, senior jail officials said.

Three doctors have advised the Awami League (AL) some more medical tests and some medicines, they added.

Some other doctors, Prof Dr Syed Modasser Ali, who led the 10-member medical board that examined her at Square Hospial on February 21, are expected to examine her today at the Special Prison (bunglow) on the premises of the sprawling Parliament building complex in the capital.

The doctors started examining Sheikh Hasina, a day after the Government announcement that it would allow the two detained Prime Ministers abroad for medical treatment if they so wished on Wednesday, when by her scientist husband Dr Wazed Mia, in a letter, requested Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed to send Sheikh Hasina abroad freeing her on parole.

However, no news was available about the other detained Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia's consent about her medical treatment abroad till filing of this report last night. It may be mentioned here both the sons Tarique Rahman and Arafat Rahman Koko-of Begum Zia, also the Chairperson of the BNP, are detained like her on separate corruption charges.

As per the announcement the Government, both the former Prime Ministers, who are now facing a number of separate corruption charges would be allowed go abroad for treatment if medical boards recommend.

Meanwhile, senior leaders of her party learnt to have been carrying out an intense lobbying for Sheikh Hasina's complete freedom instead of sending her on parole like that of the party General Secretary Abdul Jalil, who was released under five conditionality for treatment in Singapore.

Demanding complete freedom for Sheikh Hasina, who is now under trial, AL Acting President Zillur Rahman pleaded to the Government, saying, "Please don't undermine our great leader (Hasina) by releasing her on parole.

AL Assistant Office Secretary Ashim Kumar Ukil told a press briefing that doctors at the Mount Elizabeth Hospital in Singapore have operated kidney of ailing General Secretary Abdul Jalil.

"Medical experts will conduct his (Jalil) heart operation within a day or two," he said without elaborating the nature of Jailil,s kindney operation.

"Doctors said the operation was successful and his condition was stable," Ashim added.

However, there was no report about the ailing BNP Secretary Khandaker Delwar Hossain and his wife, both of were supposed to get admitted at the Mount Elizabeth Hospital in Singapore for treatment a day before the AL General Secretary.

When contacted last night, BNP (anti-reform) Acting Office Secretary Rizvee Ahmed, who disclosed their departure to Singapore at a press conference on Monday, the day Abdul Jalil left Dhaka for the same place, would not tell anything about the ailing Khandaker Delwar couple.