The medical board has decided to take BNP Chairperson and former prime minister Khaleda Zia to London for advanced treatment and a royal air ambulance provided by the Amir of Qatar has already departed for Dhaka.
If all goes as planned, she will be flown to London early Friday morning.
Zubaida Rahman, wife of BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman, has left London for Dhaka to accompany Khaleda Zia during the transfer.
The information was disclosed by Professor AZM Zahid Hossain- a member of the medical board and Khaleda Zia’s personal physician- during a briefing outside Evercare Hospital on Thursday afternoon.
Professor Zahid said: "Based on Begum Khaleda Zia’s current health condition and in consultation with local and international specialists, the medical board has decided to transfer her to a designated hospital in London using a Qatar Royal Air Ambulance, either after midnight or early tomorrow morning.”
He added: "A team of Bangladeshi specialists along with two foreign doctors will accompany her to ensure continuous medical support throughout the journey. All preparations have been completed under the medical board’s guidance.”
Professor Zahid sought prayers from the nation on behalf of Tarique Rahman, his wife Zubaida Rahman and their daughter Zaima Rahman, as well as Khaleda Zia’s late younger son’s wife Syeda Shamila Rahman and her daughters Zafiya and Zahiya Rahman, and other family members including her younger brother Shamim Iskander.
A total of 14 people will accompany Khaleda Zia to London.
Professor Zahid expressed gratitude to the chief adviser and members of the interim government, chiefs of the armed forces, law enforcement agencies, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, authorities of Evercare Hospital, doctors and nurses, and the embassies of China, Russia, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UK, India and Pakistan for their cooperation.
When asked whether Khaleda Zia’s condition had improved, he said: "We are following the medical board’s recommendations strictly. The board met virtually three times yesterday and consulted with doctors in the UK and China who have also physically assessed her condition.”
He added: “We remain hopeful by the grace of Allah that Begum Khaleda Zia will recover and return to us again, Inshallah.”
Khaleda Zia was admitted to Evercare Hospital on November 23 after experiencing breathing difficulties.
Following initial tests, the medical board advised hospitalization. Her condition deteriorated on November 27, prompting her transfer to the Critical Care Unit.
The 80-year-old former prime minister has been suffering from heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, liver cirrhosis, kidney complications and multiple chronic conditions. Doctors recently confirmed infections in her heart and lungs.
Earlier this year, on January 7, she was flown to London via a royal air ambulance provided by Qatar’s Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and received treatment at London Clinic. After four months of treatment, she returned to Dhaka on May 5 in another air ambulance provided by the Amir.
