Dhaka: BNP on Monday demanded the government take step to ensure better treatment of their chairperson Khaleda Zia at United Hospital in the city as her health condition has deteriorated further in jail.

BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi came up with the demand at a press conference at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office.

‘Our chairperson’s health condition has worsened further. The pain in her hands, legs and west has intensified. She needs to immediately undergo MRI and receive better treatment,’ he said.

Rizvi, on behalf of BNP, voiced deep concern over Khaleda’s serious illness in jail. ‘We strongly demand the government take steps to ensure better treatment for Khaleda Zia by her personal physicians at United Hospital as per her choice.’

Asked how they got information about their chairperson’s physical condition, he said Khaleda’s relatives and lawyers who met her in jail informed them about it. ‘It’s not wise to always talk about the source of information.’

On February 8 last, a special court here sentenced Khaleda to five years’ rigorous imprisonment in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case.

On April 1, the government formed a medical team with four professors of Dhaka Medical College Hospital to examine her health condition and ensure her treatment in the jail as she reportedly fell sick on March 29.

She was taken to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) on April 7, and underwent some x-ray and blood tests.

Rizvi alleged the medical board suggested providing Khaleda with an orthopaedic bed in jail, but the authorities concerned did not take any step in this regard.

He also alleged that the jail authorities are harassing and repressing Khaleda at the behest of the Prime Minister only to demoralise her.