Detained Politicians in Multiple Disease

By: Sunita Paul

Since the political change in Bangladesh in 2007, a large number of politicians and businessmen had been arrested and numerous charges were also brought against them. But, the prison authorities failed to ensure proper medical facilities for the detainees, which resulted in deterioration of their physical conditions. According to confirmed reports, youngest son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, Arafat Rahman Koko is now in virtual death and life state. He is suffering from heart ailment and other serious complications, which may result in anything bad anytime. The government is reluctant in making any arrangements of either according improved medical treatment to Mr. Rahman in renowned private hospitals in the country or abroad.

Most of the Bangladeshi politicians prefer medical treatment abroad. Last year, only one leader of Bangladesh Awami League, Amir Hossain Amu spent US$ 75,000 in medical treatment to his wife. Another leader named Abdul Jalil is spending an average amount of US$ 5,000 per day for his treatment as well staying of his family members in Singapore. As Bangladeshi law does not allow any individual in taking more than US$ 5,000 per year to any foreign country, it is learnt that most of such medical bills are paid either through overseas bank account or international credit cards held by the Bangladeshi politicians.

Meanwhile, according to a recent press report, most of the high-profile political detainees in Bangladesh are suffering from multiple health problems.

Out of over 110 such detainees, more than 60 have multiple diseases and 10 of them are now undergoing treatment at *Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University* (BSMMU), BIRDEM Hospital and Square Hospital in Dhaka, and Mount Elizabeth Hospital in Singapore, prison sources said.

Many of the VIP detainees have been suffering from diabetes, hypertension and high blood pressure, four have piles, one has hydrocele while the others have heart, backbone, kidney, eye, ear, tooth and nose problems, sources added.

The regular prisoners in the meanwhile are being deprived of proper medical attention while the jail authorities are tied up providing treatment facilities for the VIP prisoners. Brig Gen Zakir Hassan, inspector general (IG) of prisons, told press, "Most of the VIPs demand better treatment facilities inside the jails."

According to the sources, 67 jails across the country now have only 77 doctors for around 87,000 prisoners - over three times their maximum capacity. The Dhaka Central Jail alone has about 9,500 prisoners against its capacity of 2,682.

IG-Prisons Zakir said, "About 60 former ministers and MPs and 50 other VIPs including businessmen and high-officials are now imprisoned in different jails and most of them sought treatment for different physical problems and diseases."

"However, among the high-profile prisoners, former prime minister Khaleda Zia so far did not seek any kind of medical treatment," he added.

Deputy Inspector General (DIG-Prisons) Major Shamsul Haider Siddique told press, "Although at present a total of 10 VIP detainees are admitted (in city hospitals), we had admitted at least 35 high-profile detainees to different hospitals at different times earlier."

Former BNP minister Tariqul Islam and former Awami League (AL) lawmaker Kamal Majumder are suffering from rather complicated ailments, added the DIG-Prisons. "Both Tariqul Islam and Kamal Majumder have been suffering from acute diabetes, cardiac and respiratory problems, for which they are being given oxygen and insulin regularly."

According to sources, former prime minister and Awami League president Sheikh Hasina is suffering from high blood pressure as well as ear and eye problems.

AL General Secretary Abdul Jalil, who was released on parole and sent to Singapore on March 1 for treatment, has high blood pressure and kidney and heart diseases.

Former minister and AL presidium member Mohammad Nasim is suffering from blood pressure, former BNP minister barrister Nazmul Huda from hypertension, his wife Sigma Huda from diabetes, hypertension and heart disease, former minister Barrister Moudud Ahmed from eye and teeth problems and AL leader and business tycoon Salman F Rahman from high blood pressure."

Former AL minister Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim, former BNP lawmakers Mosaddaq Ali Falu and Nasiruddin Ahmed Pintu have been suffering from piles, and vernacular daily Janakantha owner Atiqullah Khan Masud from hydrocele.

Hospital sources said BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia's elder son Tarique Rahman is suffering from backbone pain for.

Former BNP ministers Altaf Hossain Chowdhury and Iqbal Mahmud Tuku are suffering from high blood pressure, former state minister for home Lutfozzaman Babar from hypertension and asthma, and former BNP state minister Aman Ullah Aman from hypertension and blood pressure. Lutfozzaman Babar was under treatment of physicians in Singapore, where he used to get regular treatment for various physical complications including Cancer. For past few weeks, health condition of him has seriously deteriorated and it is anticipated that if proper treatment is not given to him from expert physicians at home abroad, his life may be in real danger.

Former AL state minister Mahiuddin Khan Alamgir is suffering from head injuries, former AL state minister Prof Rafiqul Islam from hypertension, back pain and skin disease, Chittagong City Corporation Mayor and Awami League leader ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury from diabetes, kidney and heart problems, former AL lawmaker Lotus Kamal from spondylitis, Major Siddique said adding that AL leader Obaidul Kader is also seriously ill.

Former BNP lawmaker Ali Asgar Lobi's wife Khusnud Lobi has high blood pressure and kidney disease, Khaleda Zia's political adviser Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury has hypertension and pressure, former BNP lawmaker Salauddin Ahmed has back pain and former BNP lawmaker Abul Hashem has heart disease.

Former Jamaat lawmakers Mizanur Rahman and Abdullah Mohammad Taher have been suffering from heart disease, said DIG-Prisons Siddique. The jail sources said AL chief Sheikh Hasina has been receiving treatment at Square Hospitalin the city, AL General Secretary Abdul Jalil at Mount Elizabeth Hospital in Singapore and former AL lawmaker Kamal Majumder at BIRDEM hospital.

Those who are admitted at BSMMU are Tarique Rahman, Arafat Rahman Koko, former BNP minister Tariqul Islam, former Jamaat MP Mizanur Rahman, former BNP state minister for home Lutfozzaman Babar, and former AL state ministers Prof Rafiqul Islam and Mahiuddin Khan Alamgir.