The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Former prime minister and Awami League (AL) President Sheikh Hasina is likely to return home by the end of September in between her treatment, said her personal physician Dr Syed Modassir Ali yesterday.

Modassir disclose this while briefing reporters at Mujibunnessa Eye Hospital Ltd on the present physical condition of Sheikh Hasina.

"Sheikh Hasina's left ear has been completely damaged and her sight of her left eye has been reduced by 20 per cent," he said.

He said that an operation might be necessary for regaining her eyesight, which would be confirmed after two months.

"Sheikh Hasina has also been suffering from blood pressure, which is continuously fluctuating and there is her allergy problem," he informed.

He blamed the government and the jail authority for not providing her proper treatment for the problems she had since the grenade attack of August 21 in 2004 that had aggravated during her 11-month long detention.

Modassir also said that he would file a case against the persons responsible for depriving Sheikh Hasina of proper treatment.

He accused Inspector General of Prison, Home Adviser and Former State Minister of Home Affairs during BNP-Jamaat government for Hasina's sufferings.

"Sheikh Hasina believes she is completely innocent. Even if her US doctors want to extend her treatment further, she will return at the end of September," he told reporters at the Hospital.

"Nothing will keep her abroad or bar her from participating in the general elections," Modasser Ali said.

The former prime minister wants an elected government to take over power as soon as possible to solve the country's problems, he said.

Asked whether he had discussed politics with Sheikh Hasina in the US, the doctor replied: "Sheikh Hasina believes terrorism and poverty are the main enemies of the country right now."

About the process of releasing Former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia he said, "Sheikh Hasina was released on medical grounds, as her eye and ear were greatly damaged in August 21 grenade attack. But I think Khaleda Zia was not suffering from such sickness, which can be compared to Hasina's illness."

Dr Modassir went to America at the request of Sheikh Hasina on July 17 and returned home on August 14 after examination of her physical condition and consulting with her American doctors.

According to Modassir, Sheikh Hasina is under the treatment of Harry A Quigley, director of the Wilmer Institute at the world-renowned Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore in the US.