Decision on Khaleda Zia’s London Transfer Expected Tonight

A decision on whether BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia will be taken to London for advanced medical treatment will be made tonight, sources said.

Khaleda Zia is currently undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in the capital. On Saturday (6 December), the BNP media cell said the medical board would decide tonight whether she should be flown to London.

It had been planned to take Khaleda Zia to London early Friday morning by an air ambulance sent by the Amir of Qatar. However, the journey was postponed after the air ambulance failed to arrive due to technical complications.

Qatar has since arranged a German air ambulance, with all costs and logistical arrangements being borne by the Qatari government, according to sources.

Meanwhile, Khaleda Zia underwent an endoscopy on Friday under the supervision of Professor Dr AQ M Mohsin. Her personal physician, Dr Al Mamun, said the endoscopy report indicated that the gastric bleeding had stopped.

Dr Zubaida Rahman, the wife of BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman and Khaleda Zia’s daughter-in-law, arrived in Dhaka on Friday morning. She went directly from the airport to Evercare Hospital to inquire about her mother-in-law’s health. She is now jointly discussing the next course of treatment with the medical board.

Khaleda Zia has been suffering from multiple health complications for a long time, including arthritis, diabetes, kidney, lung and eye problems.

She was freed following the mass uprising on 5 August 2024. Earlier this year, she travelled to London on 7 January for advanced treatment and returned home on 6 May after 117 days of medical care. Since then, she has been admitted to Evercare Hospital for regular health check-ups.

Senior BNP leaders said she has been receiving treatment in the CCU for the past 13 days. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said her overseas travel would depend on her physical condition.

Khaborwala/SS