Khaleda Zia’s Health Shows Slight Improvement, Still Remains Critical

Khaleda Zia, the Chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and former Prime Minister, has shown a modest improvement in her health condition. Sources report that on Sunday she was able to make minor movements in her hospital bed and responded to brief conversations, signalling a small but notable recovery.

Multiple responsible sources, including her attending doctors and senior BNP officials, have confirmed this update. However, they cautioned that despite two days of improvement, Ms Zia’s condition remains fragile and she is not yet out of danger. Her treatment continues under the supervision of both domestic and international medical experts.

Although her family has expressed interest in seeking treatment abroad, no decision has been made as of Sunday. Long-distance travel could pose significant risks due to the physical strain of a flight and changes in environmental conditions, which her current health may not withstand. Presently, doctors are prioritising stabilising her condition in Bangladesh with the best possible medical care.

On Sunday, Ms Zia underwent another session of kidney dialysis, yet she remains unable to consume regular meals, reflecting her continued vulnerability. She has been hospitalised for over a week due to severe complications including liver dysfunction, reduced kidney function, and breathing difficulties. The combination of these conditions has made her care particularly complex. Recent deterioration prompted her transfer to a High Dependency Unit (HDU), equivalent to intensive care, for closer monitoring.

Doctors have emphasised that the treatment requires meticulous coordination, balancing kidney complications, fluid retention, and respiratory distress. Despite these challenges, her condition is reportedly more stable than in previous days. A medical board overseeing her care, including BNP leader A Z M Zahid Hossain, indicated during a briefing on Saturday night that her response to treatment has been positive.

Mr Zahid Hossain stated that doctors are evaluating how quickly she might tolerate a flight for advanced treatment abroad, though her condition is still not sufficiently stable for transfer. A source close to BNP acting Chairman Tarique Rahman told the press that the family’s priority remains exploring overseas treatment options, a process actively supervised by Mr Rahman and his wife Zubaida Rahman.

BNP leaders continue to monitor her condition daily, while the party has requested that supporters avoid gathering outside the hospital to maintain her privacy and minimise stress.

In light of Ms Zia’s serious health, the BNP has suspended its planned ‘Victory Torch Roadshow’ scheduled to commence on 1 December. Senior Joint Secretary Ruhul Kabir Rizvi announced the postponement at an urgent press briefing at the BNP office in Dhaka, explaining that the Chairperson is fighting for her life at Evercare Hospital. The nationwide event, which had been intended to span multiple districts and conclude in Dhaka on 16 December, has now been deferred until further notice.

Ms Zia was admitted to Evercare Hospital on the night of 23 November after tests revealed a lung infection, among other complications. BNP officials have described her condition as “extremely critical,” noting that she is currently not fit to travel abroad for advanced medical care.