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of oxygen support. But it went up to 99 percent after the support was restored… It [the saturation level] is fluctuating,” said one of the sources.

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, her mental condition was good.

Her 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 regard, the source mentioned.

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 legal issues, it added.

Earlier yesterday, the 10-member medical board, formed to oversee Khaleda’s treatment, assessed her physical condition.

Khaleda’s personal physician AZM Zahid Hossain, also a member of the board, said they examined her and saw some improvements.

“Some new medicines were administered to her,” he told reporters last night without giving details.

Khaleda was admitted to Evercare Hospital on April 27 night for diagnosis after testing positive for Covid for the second time on April 24. She first tested Covid positive on April 11.

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

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

BRIEFINGS

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said no request was 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 the prime minister among unemployed people in the city’s East Rajabazar area.

The minister also mentioned that the government 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 on the Supreme Court premises.

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, she had been staying at her Gulshan residence.

The government on August 27 last year extended the suspension of her sentences for six months. 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.