Unb, Dhaka

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, who is currently receiving treatment at her Gulshan residence, is doing well but worried about the prevailing coronavirus situation in the country.

Dr AZM Zahid Hossain, a member of the BNP chairperson’s personal physician team, said, “Her heath condition is now stable but she needs advanced treatment for a long time to fully recover from her illness.”

He said they are giving the 75-year-old BNP chief necessary treatment under the supervision of her daughter-in-law Dr Zubaida Rahman.

Zahid said Dr Zubaida is overseeing her treatment from London.

On March 25, Khaleda was released from jail for six months upon an executive order, considering her age and humanitarian grounds.

The government passed the executive order on two conditions -- that she receives treatment at her Gulshan residence, and does not leave the country.

Khaleda was sent to Old Dhaka Central Jail after she had been sentenced to five years’ imprisonment by a special court in the Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case on February 8, 2018.

Another team member of Khaleda’s personal physicians, wishing anonymity, said Khaleda is unable to walk, and is suffering from pain in the joints of her hands and legs. “She has been given therapy to relive her pains. Her diabetes condition still not under control. She has some other physical problems for which she needs treatment for a long time.”

He said although the BNP chief is ill, she now feels comfortable at the homely environment.

The doctor said Khaleda is passing her time by reading newspapers and books.

He said she is worried about the spread of coronavirus across the world, including in Bangladesh. “She’s concerned over the plight of poor people as many of them now have no source of income due to the shutdown of economic activity. She also wanted to know from doctors when the country may be freed from the virus. She looks upset over the rise in the coronavirus cases in the country.”