United News of Bangladesh

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus visited the Evercare Hospital in the city Wednesday evening (December 03, 2025) to see three-time former Prime Minister, former President’s wife and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. He spent around 30 minutes at the hospital after 7pm and enquired about her health condition, a senior official at the Chief Adviser’s Office told UNB. Read more: Army, BAF helicopters to conduct trial landing, takeoff near Evercare Hospital Prof Yunus urged Khaleda Zia's family and party leaders and activists to be patient, and reiterated the government's assurance of all kinds of cooperation. The Chief Adviser called on the people of the country to pray for Khaleda Zia's speedy recovery. National Security Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman accompanied the Chief Adviser during the visit.

A specialist physician from the United Kingdom, Dr Richard Beale, arrived in Dhaka on Wednesday (December 03) to assist in the treatment of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia. He reached Evercare Hospital around 10:30 am and joined the ongoing medical efforts for the ailing former prime minister. In addition to the UK specialist, another medical team from China is scheduled to arrive today to support her treatment, though their arrival was originally planned for Tuesday (December 02). Read more: Khaleda’s health still fragile, doctors report no improvement Earlier on Monday, a five-member medical team from China had already arrived in Dhaka. According to the medical board overseeing her treatment, the team expected this evening is the main group. On Tuesday, Khaleda Zia’s personal physician, Dr AZM Zahid Hossain, briefed reporters about her health condition, urging patience. Read more: Concern for Khaleda Zia goes far beyond BNP, says Rizvi He said the BNP chief is currently able to receive the treatments prescribed by the medical board, and there is hope for her recovery. Dr Hossain added that the medical board will decide whether she needs advanced treatment abroad, with the UK specialist present to assist in that assessment. Khaleda Zia was admitted to Evercare Hospital on November 23 with multiple health complications. Her condition worsened on November 27, prompting doctors to transfer her to the Coronary Care Unit (CCU), where she remains under intensive treatment. Read more: Army, Navy, Air chiefs visit Khaleda at Evercare

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain on Tuesday (December 02) said they do not have any specific information regarding BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman’s return to home, mentioning that he has not yet sought any travel pass. “Travel pass will be issued if he seeks. So far I know, he is yet to seek any travel pass,” he said when a journalist approached him while leaving his office – the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Asked whether Tarique holds any passport, Adviser Hossain said he does not know about the matter. “That I can’t tell you.” Read more: No reason to contest national election: Adviser Touhid Hossain He said there are preparations and arrangements for taking her abroad (for advanced treatment) but her family and party will take the decisions based on doctor’s advice. Hossain on Sunday said the government can issue a ‘one-time’ travel pass within a day, facilitating BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman’s return to home if he wishes to come back home. “If he (Tarique) says today that he wants to return, we can provide the pass tomorrow and he can catch the plane the day after tomorrow. There is no problem,” Adviser Hossain said while responding to a question during ‘DCAB Talk’ at the Jatiya Press Club. The Adviser said this is a kind of ‘one-time’ pass which is usually issued if anyone does not have the passport or the passport expires. “It’s for once. It takes only one day to issue such a pass.” Adviser Hossain said there are no restrictions from the government side. Read more: Tarique Rahman likely to return home soon: Salahuddin Referring to BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia’s health condition, he said she is not in a position at this moment that allows her travelling abroad for further treatment. If her health improves to some extent, she will be taken abroad and the party is making arrangements to this end. “We are assisting.”

Amid a surge of prayers and concern for Begum Khaleda Zia, BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Tuesday (December 02) thanked people across Bangladesh and abroad for their support, urging all to continue prayers for her recovery. In a post on his verified Facebook page, “I want to take a moment, on behalf of the Zia family and BNP, to give our most profound thanks for the remarkable outpouring of support for Begum Khaleda Zia's recovery.” Tarique Rahman likely to return home soon: Salahuddin He said the widespread expressions of concern from leaders, diplomats and friends across the world, as well as the overwhelming love and prayers from the people of Bangladesh have been incredible. “This collective support has been a source of immense strength for all of us. We continue to pray for her recovery and appreciate the unity, compassion, and solidarity shown during this difficult moment,” Tarique said. Khaleda Zia, 80, 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. No legal barrier to Tarique Rahman’s return, says Law Adviser She is also suffering from pneumonia and is currently under intensive observation in the Critical Care Unit (CCU), under the care of specialist doctors from both home and abroad. BNP leaders described her condition on Friday night as 'extremely critical'. The former Prime Minister has also been suffering from multiple long-term health issues, including heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, liver cirrhosis, and kidney problems.

BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed has said the party’s acting chairman, Tarique Rahman, is expected to return home soon. Salahuddin made the remarks while talking to reporters when asked about the possible date of Tarique Rahman’s return, shortly after attending a meeting of the BNP Standing Committee. He said the committee’s regular meeting focused on election strategies and plans for campaign activities. Growing concerns over Khaleda’s health; Chinese team joins medial efforts Asked whether Tarique Rahman’s return was included in the meeting agenda, Salahuddin replied, “He will return soon, InshaAllah.” He also said that Dr AZM Zahid will brief the media on all matters related to BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s health. The meeting, held at the BNP chairperson’s political office in Gulshan, began around 8:30pm and continued until 11pm. Since her admission to Evercare Hospital on November 23, Khaleda Zia has been under intensive treatment in the hospital’s Coronary Care Unit (CCU) for multiple complications affecting her liver, kidneys and heart. Read more: No legal barrier to Tarique Rahman’s return, says Law Adviser

BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia remains in a critical state as her health deteriorated on Sunday night (November 30), prompting the involvement of a specialised Chinese medical team to assist in her care. Since her admission to Evercare Hospital on November 23, Khaleda Zia has been under intensive treatment in the hospital’s Coronary Care Unit (CCU) for multiple complications affecting her liver, kidneys and heart. On Sunday night, her condition worsened and she was placed on ventilator support. Meanwhile, a five-member team of Chinese specialists arrived in Dhaka on Monday to support the ongoing treatment. ‘Don’t fall for misinformation’, Rizvi alerts about Khaleda’s health status The delegation held discussions with the hospital’s medical board, reviewing Khaleda Zia’s condition and consulting with local doctors on necessary medical measures. The main group of specialists is expected to arrive later, depending on her condition, said Dr Shahabuddin Talukder, head of the hospital’s medical board and cardiologist. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir confirmed that Khaleda Zia continues to be in critical condition, with local and foreign doctors coordinating her care. BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi urged all to disregard any rumours or misleading statements about her health, noting that she remains under intensive treatment at Evercare Hospital. Chinese medical experts join Khaled’s treatment efforts Speaking at a prayer event in Mohammadpur on Monday, Rizvi described Khaleda Zia as a ‘beloved figure of the nation,’ recalling her personal suffering, including the loss of her son while in captivity and enduring years of oppression. “Despite all conspiracies and attempts to remove her from her own country, she remained steadfast. Today, the entire nation is praying for her,” he said. Earlier, BNP Vice-Chairman Advocate Ahmed Azam Khan also confirmed that Khaleda Zia had been placed on ventilation support after her condition took a critical turn. The party has announced that all official updates regarding her health will be communicated exclusively by Professor Dr AZM Zahid Hossain, a member of the BNP National Standing Committee. The party has appealed to the nation to pray for her recovery and to avoid spreading unverified information. No legal barrier to Tarique Rahman’s return, says Law Adviser Meanwhile, Law Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul commented on the possible return of BNP Acting Chairperson Tarique Rahman, saying there is no legal barrier preventing him from coming back to Bangladesh. He emphasised that the decision rests with Tarique Rahman, noting the deeply personal nature of the situation, “We must understand that this is a mother-son relationship. He knows best when to come and when to take any action.”

An unidentified individual attempted to enter the cabin of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia at Evercare Hospital on Saturday (December 23, 2023) evening. BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi expressed deep concern over this incident. “The intrusion attempt by an unknown youth into the cabin of our ailing chairperson, a respected three-time former Prime Minister, is not only worrying but raises serious questions about the security measures in place,” Rizvi stated. Read: BNP to form human chains on Dec 10 in protest against injustice: Rizvi  The BNP leader highlighted the gravity of the situation, given Khaleda Zia’s high-profile status and her current health struggles. People are astonished at how the security of such a prominent figure, particularly in her vulnerable state, could be compromised in a reputedly safe environment like Evercare Hospital, he added. Rizvi further questioned the implications of this incident, suggesting a potential deeper conspiracy. “The mysterious nature of this attempted breach has sparked widespread concern and speculation among the people. It is imperative to ascertain whether this was an isolated incident or part of a more sinister plot.” The incident has led to calls for heightened security for the 78-year-old Khaleda Zia, who has been hospitalized since August 9 for multiple health issues, including liver cirrhosis, arthritis, and heart complications. Recently, she underwent a specialized hepatic procedure known as transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS), performed by a team of US specialists from Johns Hopkins University’s School of Medicine. Read: EC’s show-causes for violating electoral code are a joke on the people: Rizvi  Since her conditional release from jail in 2020, Khaleda Zia has been under medical supervision. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the government extended her release, mandating her stay in her Gulshan residence and prohibiting international travel.

BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday alleged that the government has forced the medical board of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) not to give any authentic report on their party Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s health condition.

The authorities of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) submitted a report on BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s health condition to the Supreme Court Registrar General on Wednesday.