Hasina's physicians request govt for her treatment in US

Dhaka, Jan 6 (UNI) Personal physicians of Bangladesh's detained former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina formally requested Chief Advisor of incumbent caretaker government Fakhruddin Ahmed to send her to the United States for treatment.

Sheikh Hasina, also president of Awami League party, is suffering from several complications of eyes, ears and blood pressure.

Eye specialist Syed Modasser Ali, ENT specialist Pran Gopal Dutta, Gynecologist Shaila Khatun and Medicine specialist Abdullah made the request in a joint application to the Chief Advisor.

In the application, the specialist physicians mentioned Hasina's medical condition, medical reason and their recommendations to send her to the US where she had received treatment for her damaged ears, caused by grenade blasts at her rally on August 21, 2004.

''As her personal physicians we feel that Sheikh Hasina should immediately be sent to the US for better treatment,'' Dr Modasser told local media.

Meanwhile, Awami League acting president Zillur Rahman told reporters that detained leader may agree to go abroad for her treatment 'unconditionally'.

''She is now in absolute solitary confinement,'' Mr Rahman said, adding that her health condition was deteriorating.

Demanding her immediate release, he said ''her life is now at risk.'' If doctors recommend her treatment abroad and the government agrees on that ''unconditionally'', she may be willing to go, he added.

But under the emergency power's rule, an accused cannot be granted bail. Rules will have to be amended, if the government sends her abroad on bail for treatment.

The Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge Court today adjourned the hearing on framing a charge against Sheikh Hasina till Tuesday as she was suffering from headache and vertigo.

Sheikh Hasina was arrested on July 16 last year on a charge of extortion of three crore taka from a private energy company while in power.

Another detained former Prime Minister and chairperson of Bangladesh nationalist Party (BNP) Khaleda Zia is also facing a corruption charge by the present military-backed caretaker government that launched war on corruption in its attempt to make the domestic politics clean.

Earlier, the caretaker government wanted to send both the leaders into exile in foreign countries, but they refused to leave the country and decided to face the cases.

UNI XC SG KP2010