United News of Bangladesh

BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia will be flown to London for advanced medical treatment, either at midnight on Thursday or Friday morning, her personal physician and party standing committee member AZM Zahid Hossain said on Thursday. The decision was made unanimously by a medical board comprising local and foreign specialists, he told reporters at a press briefing in front of Evercare Hospital in Dhaka. “She will be taken to London by a Qatar Royal air ambulance. We have selected a hospital in London for her treatment and, InshAllah, we will take her there,” he said. He said several specialist doctors and two foreign physicians will accompany Khaleda Zia during her trip to the UK. Qatar air ambulance set to fly Khaleda to London: BNP Adviser Regarding her current health condition, Zahid said every step has been taken strictly following the recommendations of the medical board. “They advised that sending her to London at this stage is the most appropriate. We hope she will recover and return to us,” he added. Dr Zahid sought prayers from the nation for her quick recovery. BNP sources said the Emir of Qatar has assured full cooperation in facilitating her transfer abroad. All arrangements have been completed to bring an air ambulance from Qatar to take Khaleda Zia to London for better treatment, said BNP Chairperson’s Adviser Amanul Haq Chowdhury. On January 8, Khaleda Zia travelled to London in a special air ambulance sent by the Emir of Qatar for advanced medical treatment and returned home on May 6by the air special ambulance. The former prime minister has been undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital since November 23 after being admitted with multiple health complications. As her condition worsened, she was moved to the Coronary Care Unit on November 27, where she is still under close monitoring. Doctors said Khaleda Zia is receiving intensive care for several complications related to her liver, kidneys and heart. Prayers nationwide on Friday for Khaleda Zia’s recovery: Rizvi A medical board, led by Professor Shahabuddin Talukder, is supervising her treatment with support from specialist physicians. The government has declared Khaleda Zia a ‘Very Very Important Person’ and deployed members of the Special Security Force to ensure her safety.

BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia is receiving her prescribed treatment properly and is expected to recover, her personal physician Dr AZM Zahid Hossain said on Tuesday (December 02, 2025). “We firmly believe she will recover this time and return to us. She is properly receiving the treatment being administered to her,” he said. Talking to reporters during a briefing in front of Evercare Hospital at noon, Dr Zahid said Khaleda Zia is responding to the treatment provided by a medical board comprising local and foreign specialists. Khaleda Zia was admitted to Evercare Hospital on November 23 with several health complications. As her condition deteriorated, she was shifted to the CCU on November 27, where she remains under close observations. Tarique expresses gratitude, reiterates call for prayers for Khaleda “A medical board consisting of doctors from the UK, USA and Bangladesh is overseeing her treatment. Tarique Rahman is constantly monitoring the situation, and the interim government continues to extend its support,” Zahid added. He urged the nation to pray for Khaleda Zia’s recovery and avoid paying heed to any rumours. “Ruhul Kabir Rizvi and I will continue to update you on her condition,” he said. Dr Zahid also informed that a specialist medical team from the UK will arrive today (Tuesday) to assist in her treatment. Decisions regarding whether she will be taken abroad for treatment depend entirely on the medical board, he added. Tarique Rahman likely to return home soon: Salahuddin Meanwhile, the main team of Chinese specialist physicians is scheduled to arrive in Dhaka today (Tuesday) to oversee the treatment of BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. A preliminary delegation of Chinese doctors visited Evercare Hospital on Monday (Dec 1), ahead of the full team’s arrival.  

BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia is responding to the treatment provided by the medical board, her personal physician Professor AZM Zahid Hossain said on Saturday (November 29). “Alhamdulillah, her condition has remained stable for the last three days--27, 28 and 29 November. In medical terms, she is maintaining the treatment, meaning she can take the treatment the doctors are giving her,” he said. Zahid, a BNP Standing Committee member and a member of medical board overseeing her treatment, made the remarks while briefing reporters in front of Evercare Hospital. He urged the people of the country to pray for her so that she can continue the treatment and recover fully. Khaleda may need treatment abroad, but not fit for travel: Fakhrul About the possibility of taking her abroad, he said any decision will depend on her overall condition and the medical board’s recommendation. “When a decision is made, it will be informed.” Khaleda Zia was admitted to Evercare Hospital on the night of 23 November after tests detected an infection in her lungs. BNP leaders earlier said her condition became “critical” from Thursday. She has been under treatment in the Critical Care Unit (CCU) since 27 November. Zahid said BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has been closely monitoring her treatment. “He is in constant contact with the doctors and the medical board to ensure that her treatment continues without interruption,” he noted. He said Khaleda Zia is receiving support from her family members — including Syeda Shamila Rahman, wife of her late younger son Arafat Rahman Koko, and her younger brother Shamim Eskander — as well as BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and all members of the Standing Committee. Khaleda’s health still fragile, doctors report no improvement Her treatment is also continuing with the full cooperation of the doctors, officials and nurses at Evercare Hospital, he added. The BNP leader said the medical team is working based on joint consultations with doctors from the UK, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Singapore, China, and leading hospitals in the United States, including Johns Hopkins and Mount Sinai. “Her treatment will continue following these joint discussions.” He again called upon everyone to pray for her recovery and expressed gratitude to those, including members of the Interim Government’s Advisory Council, who have already urged the nation to pray for her. Professor Zahid also requested BNP leaders and activists not to crowd the hospital. “There are around 300 other patients here. We must make sure their treatment is not disturbed.” No objection to Tarique’s return, says govt He mentioned that many heads of state and government, as well as several countries, have expressed concern about Khaleda Zia’s health. “The Acting Chairman has extended his gratitude to all of them,” he said.

The health condition of BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, now undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in the capital, has not shown any significant improvement, according to her medical board members and senior party leaders. Doctors say the former prime minister is still suffering from pneumonia, which has caused infections in both her heart and lungs. They said they are trying their utmost to bring the infections under control. A member of the medical board, wishing to remain unnamed, said excess fluid has built up in her body, requiring regular dialysis. Read more: No objection to Tarique’s return, says govt She is also being given the oxygen support needed to help her breathe more comfortably. Despite her critical condition, he said Khaleda Zia remains responsive, can move her hands and feet slightly, and is able to speak a few words at times. BNP Joint Secretary General Khairul Kabir Khokon said their party chairperson’s condition is stable, with no marked improvement or deterioration. “I went to the fourth floor of the hospital and spoke to her doctors. They told me it is still not possible to say when her condition might improve, but they remain hopeful. They said they are trying their best, and she may improve — now we just have to wait and see,” he told reporters after meeting the medical team. BNP leaders and family members said if her condition improves, she may again be taken abroad for advanced treatment. Preparations have already begun, though BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said on Friday evening that she is still not medically fit to travel. Speaking at a press conference at the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office, Fakhrul said the medical board treating Khaleda Zia believes she may need treatment abroad, but her present condition does not allow travel. He said distinguished doctors from Bangladesh, as well as specialist physicians from Johns Hopkins in the United States and the London Clinic in the UK, are overseeing her treatment. The full medical board held a detailed meeting for nearly two and a half hours on Friday night. “They discussed her treatment in depth and shared their views on the next steps. The board said she may need to be taken abroad, but in her current condition it is not possible. She is not fit for overseas travel right now,” Fakhrul said. Once her condition stabilises, he said the medical board will consider whether she can travel abroad. Read more: Khaleda may be taken to London for treatment, says Mahdi Amin Fakhrul also said preparations for possible overseas treatment are already underway. “Visa procedures, communication with countries where treatment may be possible, and other formalities have been discussed. These preparations are progressing so that, if the need arises and she becomes fit to fly, a quick decision can be made,” he said. Khaleda Zia has been under intensive monitoring since she was admitted to Evercare Hospital on 23 November with severe infections in her heart and lungs. She was first kept in a cabin but was later moved to the Coronary Care Unit (CCU) as her condition worsened. Members of the medical board have been working round the clock, closely observing her vital signs. Another medical board member told UNB that the BNP Chairperson’s condition remains complicated. “She is on dialysis due to excess fluid in her body. The main reason is that her mitral valve has become stiff, preventing the heart from pumping blood properly. Some blood is leaking back through the valve, which raises the risk of right-side heart failure,” he said. He also said a severe infection has put her body under extreme stress, while acute pancreatitis has further worsened her condition. BNP Standing Committee member Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan said both local and foreign doctors are providing all necessary treatment. “Specialist doctors from abroad are also involved. Whatever treatment she needs is being given,” he said. No objection to Tarique’s return, says govt Mahdi Amin, adviser to BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman, wrote in a Facebook post on Saturday that the Zia family is planning to take Khaleda Zia to London for advanced treatment once her condition improves even slightly. He said Tarique Rahman and his wife have already contacted the London hospital and the specialist doctors under whose care she stayed for four months earlier this year, when she showed significant improvement. “Arrangements are being made to organise a specially equipped, state-of-the-art air ambulance for that purpose,” Mahdi wrote. Khaleda’s former press secretary Maruf Kamal Khan also wrote on Facebook that her condition has not improved noticeably. He said the family is considering taking her to London, Singapore or even China, depending on the medical board’s approval. Nagorik Oikya President Mahmudur Rahman Manna, who visited the hospital on Saturday, said preparations are underway to take her to Singapore or Europe, but she is “not in a condition to fly yet”. As large numbers of people have continued gathering around the hospital, Mirza Fakhrul and other senior BNP leaders have urged the public not to crowd the area. They said the overwhelming number of visitors has made hospital staff and doctors uneasy, affecting the treatment of Khaleda Zia as well as other patients. Read more: Khaleda may need treatment abroad, but not fit for travel: Fakhrul Apart from BNP leaders, several other political party leaders also visited Evercare Hospital on Saturday to inquire about her health. Among them were Bangladesh Khilafat Majlis Ameer Maulana Muhammad Mamunul Haque, NCP Senior Joint Member-Secretary Dr Tasnim Jara, Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwari and Chief Organiser (South) Hasnat Abdullah. Speaking to reporters, they urged the people of the country to pray for Khaleda Zia’s speedy recovery. Hasnat Abdullah blamed the former prime minister’s declining health on inadequate medical care during her imprisonment.  He alleged that she had been denied proper treatment in jail, which led to the gradual deterioration of her condition. He said people across the country, irrespective of political views, were praying for her recovery. Meanwhile, prayers continue nationwide for the former prime minister’s health. Since Friday, people from different walks of life have been posting on social media expressing deep concern and seeking divine blessings for her quick healing. Read more: Khaleda responding to treatment: Dr Zahid

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday (November 29) said the medical board treating party Chairperson and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia has observed that she may need treatment abroad, but her current condition is not suitable for travel. “As you all know, our country’s undisputed leader, the Mother of Democracy, Begum Khaleda Zia, has been seriously ill and admitted to Evercare Hospital for several days. Her condition is quite critical,” he said. Speaking at a press conference at the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office, he said distinguished doctors from Bangladesh, as well as specialist physicians from Johns Hopkins in the United States and the London Clinic in the UK, are overseeing her treatment. “Last night, the full medical board held a meeting for nearly two and a half hours. They discussed her treatment in detail and shared their opinions on how her care should proceed and what type of treatment she now requires. The medical board has said that she may need to be taken abroad, but in her current physical condition, it is not possible to move her. She is not fit for overseas travel right now,” Fakhrul said. Read more: Khaleda’s health still fragile, doctors report no improvement Once her condition stabilises, he said the medical board will consider whether she can be taken abroad. Fakhrul also mentioned that preparations for possible overseas treatment of the BNP chief are already underway. “Visa matters, communication with countries where treatment might be possible, and other formalities have been discussed in detail. These preparations are progressing. So, if the need arises and she becomes ready to fly, a quick decision can be made,” he said. The press conference was held to announce the BNP’s torch-roadshow programme for Victory Month. During the event, Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir also responded to questions from journalists about why acting chairman Tarique Rahman has not returned to the country while his mother’s condition remains critical. He said Tarique Rahman has already made a Facebook post on the matter and that the post should be taken as self-explanatory. “There is no need for me to answer this, as he himself has made a post on Facebook,” Fakhrul said. When reporters pressed further, he added, “I cannot explain this, because he is the party’s acting chairman, my leader, and the head of the party. He has made a post, and you can take that post as his statement. No further explanation is needed at this moment.” Read more: No objection to Tarique’s return, says govt In his Facebook post today, Tarique Rahman said that his return to the country is not entirely under his control. As many people have continued gathering around the hospital, BNP leaders again urged people from all walks of life not to crowd the area. “Naturally, Begum Khaleda Zia is the most popular leader in this country, and people are deeply worried about her illness. Large numbers of people are gathering at the hospital out of concern for her, but this is making the hospital authorities and the doctors very embarrassed.” He said the overwhelming number of visitors has made hospital staff and doctors uneasy, affecting the treatment of Khaleda Zia as well as other patients. “I sincerely request everyone not to gather at the hospital. I urge BNP leaders and activists, her well-wishers, and people across the country — please do not crowd the hospital,” Fakhrul said. Read more: Khaleda may be taken to London for treatment, says Mahdi Amin He said they will inform the public about her health condition through regular bulletins. “You will receive all updates in time. But once again, I request you all: please do not go there.” Leaders and activists from various BNP units have continued gathering at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka to enquire about the health of party Chairperson and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia.  Despite the party’s request not to hold large gatherings, supporters continue to gather in the hospital area. The large number of visitors has caused traffic congestion nearby, and journalists covering the scene are also facing difficulties. Hospital authorities and law enforcement are monitoring the situation, but the crowd shows no sign of easing. BNP leaders and activists said they came to learn the latest updates about the condition of their beloved leader, who has been fighting for her life at the hospital. Earlier in the day, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi urged party leaders, activists and the general public to refrain from gathering at Evercare Hospital, warning that large crowds are hampering the treatment of Begum Khaleda Zia and causing inconvenience to other patients. He also called upon everyone to pray for the BNP chairperson’s quick recovery. Khaleda Zia was admitted to Evercare Hospital on the night of November 23 on the advice of the medical board after being diagnosed with infections in her heart and lungs. She is also suffering from pneumonia and is currently under intensive observation in the Coronary Care Unit (CCU), being treated by specialist doctors from both home and abroad. Read more: Khaleda responding to treatment: Dr Zahid