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below 90 percent when the oxygen support was withdrawn. But it went up to 99 percent after the support was given… It [saturation level] is fluctuating.”

The source also said Khaleda’s blood sugar level fluctuated between 14 and 18 millimoles per litre after she was injected with Remdesivir used for treating Covid-19 patients.

Despite all these, the mental condition of the 76-year-old ex-PM was good, the sources said.

The sources said Khaleda’s family members are trying to take her to the UK or Singapore or Thailand for better treatment, but there are some legal bars in this regards.

On behalf of her family, the party contacted the government high-ups about her treatment abroad, but they maintained that such a decision has to come from the court since it involves some legal issues, the source added.

Earlier in the day, the 10-member medical board, formed to oversee Khaleda’s treatment at Evercare Hospital, assessed her physical condition.

But the board did not talk to the media about her health.

The Daily Star tried to reach the board members but none of them responded.

Contacted, Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said, “Her [Khaleda] condition is better than yesterday [Monday]. She is stable. She now needs two litres of oxygen per hour.”

Khaleda was admitted to the hospital on April 27 night for some medical tests after testing positive for the second time on April 24. She first tested Covid-19 positive on April 11.

On Monday afternoon, she was shifted to the coronary care unit of the hospital with breathing difficulties.

She has also been suffering from arthritis, diabetics and eye problems.

BRIEFINGS

At a programme yesterday, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said no request has been made to the government for taking Khaleda abroad for treatment.

“We have not received any application from Khaleda Zia’s family… ” he told journalists after distributing Eid gifts on behalf of prime minister among unemployed people in the city’s East Rajabazar area.

The minister also mentioned that the government has already extended suspension of Khaleda’s sentences for another six months.

Meanwhile, Attorney General AM Amin Uddin said it is up to the government to decide whether Khaleda will be sent abroad for treatment.

“I think court’s permission is needed in this regard as the government suspended her jail sentences under Section-401 (of the code of criminal procedure). I cannot say specifically about it without seeing the relevant documents and laws,” he told reporters at his office at the Supreme Court.

Amid the Covid-19 outbreak, the government on March 25 last year freed Khaleda for six months through an executive order suspending her jail sentences in two corruption cases.

She was released from the prison cell at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University the same day. Since then, Khaleda had been staying at her Gulshan residence.

The government extended her release period for six months on August 27 last year. It was extended for another six months on March 15 this year.

On February 8, 2018, the BNP chief landed in Old Dhaka Central Jail after a court sentenced her to five years’ imprisonment in the Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case. The High Court later doubled her sentence.

Khaleda was also found guilty in another graft case the same year. Her party, however, claims both the cases are politically motivated.