A specialist physician from the United Kingdom arrived in Dhaka on Wednesday morning to join the medical team treating former prime minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia.

BNP Media Cell member Shayrul Kabir Khan said that Richard Beale, a specialist from the London Clinic, landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 10:20am.

Khaleda Zia has been undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in Bashundhara since November 23.

Her condition deteriorated due to a lung infection, prompting doctors to shift her to the Critical Care Unit (CCU) on November 27, where she is now receiving intensive care under special arrangements.

A medical board led by Professor Shahabuddin Talukder is overseeing her treatment.

According to reports, the UK specialist will visit Evercare Hospital Wednesday afternoon after checking into his hotel.

An Evercare Hospital source said that, alongside the current medical board, a 10-member team of Chinese physicians is also involved in her treatment.

Khaleda Zia’s personal physician, Professor Zahid, stated that governments and heads of state from several friendly nations—including the United States, the United Kingdom, China, Qatar, Singapore, Pakistan, and India—have extended support regarding her medical care.

Professor Zahid also shared details of the full medical board, which includes Professor FM Siddiqui, Professor Nuruddin Ahmed, Professor AQM Mohsin, Professor Shamsul Arefin, Professor Ziaul Haque, Professor Masum Kamal, Professor AZM Saleh, retired Brigadier General Saiful Islam, and Dr Zafar Iqbal.

The international segment of the team includes Professor Habibur Rahman, Professor Rafiquddin Ahmed, Professor John Hamilton, and Professor Dr Hamid Rob from the United States; Professor John Petrick, Professor Jennifer Cross, and Dr Zubaida Rahman from the United Kingdom—forming a joint medical team with American, British, and Bangladeshi specialists working collaboratively on her treatment.