United News of Bangladesh

BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia was admitted to Evercare Hospital in the capital on Sunday night (November 23) as she developed infections in her chest, affecting both her heart and lungs, said her medical board. Talking to reporters, Professor Dr F M Siddiqui, a member of the medical board formed for her treatment, said Khaleda was brought to the hospital as several of her health problems appeared at the same time. “She has a chest infection. As a result, her heart and lungs have been affected at a time. Because of this, she was facing some respiratory distress. That is why we brought her here quickly,” Dr Siddiqui said. He said Khaleda has long been suffering from heart problems, including a permanent pacemaker and earlier stenting. “As her chest infection affected the heart and lungs at the same time, we carried out urgent tests. Based on the reports received so far, she has been placed on antibiotics as advised by the medical board,” he said. Dr Siddiqui said more test results are expected within the next 12 hours and Khaleda is now under close and intensive monitoring. “She is currently in a cabin but remains under intensive observation.” BNP Standing Committee member and Khaleda’s personal physician Professor Dr AZM Zahid Hossain said it is not possible to say yet how long the BNP chief will need to stay in hospital. “The duration of her stay will depend entirely on her physical condition,” he said. Read more: Khaleda meets Prof Yunus at Armed Forces Day reception The BNP Chairperson was admitted to Evercare Hospital around 8:15pm. Khaleda, 80, has long been suffering from multiple health complications, including liver cirrhosis, kidney disease, heart issues, arthritis, diabetes, lung problems and eye-related illnesses. She has been receiving treatment at her Gulshan residence under a combined medical team involving her personal doctors and specialists from Evercare Hospital. She was last taken to Evercare Hospital on 15 October for day-long medical examinations. Read more: Khaleda admitted to Evercare Hospital for health check-up

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia underwent health checkups at Evercare Hospital in the capital early Thursday. She went to the hospital from her Gulshan residence around 1:48am for some urgent medical tests as per the advice of her medical board, said BNP media cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan. He said the BNP chairperson stayed at the hospital for nearly 35 minutes and underwent several tests. Later, the BNP chief left the hospital and reached her residence around 2:52am, Sayrul said. Khaleda's personal physician AZM Zahid Hossain said she was taken to the hospital on the advice of the medical board formed earlier, led by Prof Shahabuddin Talukder. Tarique calls for calm amid national mourning “She underwent some tests as the medical board urgently needed to assess her physical condition,” he said. The 79-year-old former Prime Minister has been suffering from multiple health complications for several years. She has been receiving treatment at her home under the supervision of a medical board consisting of specialists from both Evercare Hospital and her personal team of doctors since her return from London on May 6 after undergoing four months of advanced treatment. During her stay in London, she received specialised medical care under the supervision of liver specialist Professor Patrick Kennedy. Khaleda, Tarique ask party leaders to stand by plane crash victims: Fakhrul Her travel to London and return home were arranged with the support of a special air ambulance provided by Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia is scheduled to visit Evercare Hospital in the capital this (Wednesday) evening for health check-up. She is expected to leave her Gulshan residence, 'Feroza', for the hospital around 6:00pm, said Sayrul Kabir Khan, a member of the BNP media cell. The 79-year-old former Prime Minister has been battling multiple health complications for several years. Khaleda Zia receives mutation papers of her Gulshan residence  She has been receiving treatment at her home under the supervision of a medical board comprising specialists from both Evercare Hospital and her personal team of doctors. She returned to Dhaka on May 6 after undergoing four months of treatment in London. During her stay in London, Khaleda Zia received advanced medical care under the supervision of liver specialist Professor Patrick Kennedy. Her travel to London and return home were facilitated by a special air ambulance provided by Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

The BNP public rally demanding the unconditional release of its ailing Chairperson Khaleda Zia has begun in front of the party’s Nayapaltan central office with the participation of thousands of leaders and activists of the party and its associate bodies. The rally formally began around 2:42 pm on Saturday (June 29, 2024) with the recitation from the holy Quran. BNP leaders and activists have started gathering before the party’s Nayapaltan central office with processions carrying banners, festoons, placards, and portraits of the party’s top leaders from different parts of Dhaka since morning braving bad weather to join the rally. Among the associate bodies, former Jubo Dal General Secretary Abdul Monayem Munna staged a showdown by joining the rally with a big procession. BNP activists gather at Nayapaltan to join rally demanding Khaleda’s unconditional release BNP Secretary-General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir will address the program as the chief guest. Additional police have been deployed in Nayapaltan and its surrounding areas to maintain law and order. Earlier on Wednesday, BNP Secretary-General Mirza Fakhrul Islam announced a three-day countrywide program demanding the unconditional release of Khaleda Zia, who is currently undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in the capital. As part of the programs, the party is holding the rally in front of its Nayapaltan central office today. Besides, the BNP leader said their party will hold rallies in all metropolitan cities on July 1 and in all district headquarters on July 3. BNP, allies to launch simultaneous movement against govt soon: Fakhrul Khaleda Zia was rushed to Evercare Hospital in an ambulance at around 3:30 am on June 22 after suddenly falling ill at her Gulshan residence. A team of specialist doctors, led by Prof Shahabuddin Talukder, successfully implanted a pacemaker in her chest the following day. She is now receiving treatment in a cabin with CCU facilities at the hospital. On June 11, 2022, Khaleda Zia was diagnosed with three blockages in her heart, one of which was 95% blocked and was treated with stent placement at that time. Khaleda, a former prime minister, aged 79, has long battled various ailments, including liver cirrhosis, arthritis, diabetes, and issues related to the kidney, lung, heart, and eyes. Since her conditional release from jail in 2020, the BNP chief has been receiving treatment frequently at the hospital under a medical board headed by cardiologist Prof Shahabuddin Talukder. Khaleda was sent to Old Dhaka Jail after a lower court sentenced her to five years' imprisonment in the Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case on February 8, 2018. Later, she was found guilty in another corruption case the same year. BNP announces 3-day programme for Khaleda Zia's unconditional release Amid the coronavirus outbreak, the government temporarily freed Khaleda Zia from jail through an executive order suspending her sentence on March 25, 2020, with the condition that she stay in her Gulshan house and not leave the country. That has since been extended multiple times to keep her out of jail. Khaleda's doctors have been recommending sending her abroad since she was diagnosed with liver cirrhosis in November 2021. On October 26 last year, three US specialist doctors completed the hepatic procedure known as transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS procedure) to stop water accretion in Khaleda Zia's stomach and chest, and bleeding in her liver.

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.

The medical board at Evercare Hospital on Monday recommended that BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia be urgently sent to a multidisciplinary center abroad soon as there are now no treatment options available for her in Bangladesh. Speaking at a press conference at the hospital, the board also said the 78-year-old former prime minister’s life is at risk because of a lack of proper treatment to stop water accretion in her stomach and chest, internal bleeding and infections caused by her liver cirrhosis problem. “Begum Khaleda Zia has been admitted here for the fourth time…her condition is complicated,” the chief of the medical board, Dr Shahabuddin Talukder, said. Read: Khaleda’s doctors to hold press conference on ex-PM's condition Monday He said a critical patient like Khaleda could collapse suddenly as she has been suffering from various diseases.  “Madam (Khaleda) has heart disease with a stent (placed into a coronary artery) and two blockages. So, there’s a chance of collapsing when the fluid is removed (from her stomach and lungs). She had to be taken to the CCU to get the water out. This is the reality,” he said. Dr FM Siddique, a member of the medical board, said the BNP chairperson is not getting the treatment she needs at the moment for liver cirrhosis. He said, “We’ve done all that we can. She needs to be taken to any advanced centre abroad  for necessary treatment.” Siddique said the opposition BNP chief’s condition is gradually worsening because of a lack of “proper treatment.” Read: No politics behind denying permission for Khaleda’s treatment abroad: Law Minister He said Khaleda is now facing water accretion in her stomach and chest, infections, and a small amount of bleeding in her stomach. “This time she was given four bags of blood in the hospital. The actual situation is very complex and difficult. We have now reached a situation where we have no more option to treat her (in the country),” the physician said. He lamented that a curable disease cannot be treated in the country due to lack of an advanced medical centre in Bangladesh. Siddique said though Khaleda’s condition is slowly getting worse, the time is not over yet to treat her abroad. “As per the medical board’s unanimous decision, I want to convey to all concerned that there’s still time to treat her with the transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) and also to transplant her liver at any advanced multidisciplinary center abroad. Perhaps, we still have this option to improve her condition,” the doctor said. He said TIPS is necessary immediately to stop water from accumulating in her stomach and chest and internal bleeding. “TIPS is a live savings procedure which is not available in Bangladesh. Liver transplantation is also not possible in Bangladesh either." Another medical board member Professor AKM Mohsin said liver transplantation cannot be done in Bangladesh for lack of required setup, equipment, and manpower. “One or two livers were transplanted here (Bangladesh) on an experimental basis. But we don't have the setup and required manpower for liver transplantation here. We don't have such surgery here," he said. Mentioning that Khaleda Zia's condition is critical, Prof Mohsin said there is no setup in Bangladesh for her treatment with TRIPS and for her liver transplantation. Professor Nuruddin Ahmed, another medical board member said the BNP chief has been suffering from many diseases, including liver cirrhosis. “Liver cirrhosis causes many serious complications such as abdominal bleeding and water accretion in her stomach and chest.” He said infection caused by ascites is also a serious complication that put Khaleda’s life at risk. Ahmed voiced concern that high doses of antibiotics are not working on Khaleda due to their frequent use.  "In his critical condition, we are not allowing her to be taken home as carious complications and infections are appearing.” BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has been undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka under the supervision of a 15-member medical board, led by a specialist doctor, Professor Shahabuddin Talukder, since August 9. She has been suffering from various ailments, including liver cirrhosis, arthritis, diabetes, kidney, lung, heart, and eye problems. On September 5, Khaleda’s brother Shamim Iskandar submitted an application to the government, seeking her unconditional release and permission to take her abroad for treatment at an “advanced medical center” on an urgent basis to save her life. However, the law ministry denied permission to take her abroad for better treatment, suggesting that she must first return to jail to serve her graft sentence and then apply to the court to get permission in this regard. Law Minister Anisul Huq said there is no chance to open the petition, which has already been disposed of as per Section 401 of the CrPC. “We gave the opinion that the petition disposed under Section 401 is a past and closed transaction. There is no other scope to open it,” he said. Amid the coronavirus outbreak, the government freed Khaleda Zia from jail for six months through an executive order by suspending her sentence on March 25, 2020, with the condition that she would stay at her Gulshan house and would not leave the country. Later, the government extended the tenure of suspension of Khaleda’s sentence for the eighth time.

Bangladesh's Law Minister Anisul Huq today (September 23, 2023) said that an application must be submitted to the Ministry of Home Affairs to allow BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia to go abroad for better treatment. He said this while talking to reporters in Brahmanbaria’s Akhaura upazila. BNP extends 15-day programmes by 2 days “The application must be submitted to the Home Ministry, which then can ask the Law Ministry for its opinion. A decision will be reached upon their formal submission,” he said.  “Khaleda Zia continues to receive quality healthcare at Evercare Hospital despite her prison sentence, courtesy of the benevolence of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina,” the law minister added. Earlier on September 18, the Security Services Division under the Home Ministry issued a notification extending the suspension of Khaleda’s jail term by another six months. BNP’s associate bodies’ road march from Rangpur to Dinajpur begins this noon Khaleda Zia has to receive treatment in Dhaka, and she will not be allowed to go abroad during this period, said the notification. BNP held special prayers for her at the metropolitan, district, upazila, municipality, union and ward levels across the country after Jummah prayers. The 78-year-old former prime minister has been suffering from various ailments, including liver cirrhosis, arthritis, diabetes, kidney, lung, heart, and eye problems. Since her conditional release in 2020, the BNP chief has been receiving treatment at the hospital under a medical board headed by cardiologist Prof Shahabuddin Talukder. Khaleda was sent to the Old Dhaka Jail after a lower court sentenced her to five years' imprisonment in the Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case on February 8, 2018. Later, she was found guilty in another corruption case the same year. BNP ‘secretly’ preparing for election to start nomination trade: Quader Amid the coronavirus outbreak, the government of Bangladesh temporarily freed Khaleda Zia from jail through an executive order suspending her sentence on March 25, 2020, with the condition that she stay in her Gulshan house and not leave the country.

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has been shifted to the Coronary Care Unit (CCU) from the cabin of the Evercare Hospital in the capital Friday on the advice of her medical board. Khaleda Zia's personal physician AZM Zahid Hossain said she was shifted at 11:30 am. BNP held special prayers for her at the metropolitan, district, upazila, municipality, union and ward levels across the country after Jum'a prayers. Khaleda Zia’s jail term suspension extended again by 6 months The 78-year-old former prime minister has been suffering from various ailments, including liver cirrhosis, arthritis, diabetes, kidney, lung, heart, and eye problems. Since her conditional release in 2020, the BNP chief has been receiving treatment at the hospital under a medical board headed by cardiologist Prof Shahabuddin Talukder. Khaleda under close observation, says her physician Khaleda was sent to the Old Dhaka Jail after a lower court sentenced her to five years' imprisonment in the Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case on February 8, 2018. Later, she was found guilty in another corruption case the same year. Amid the coronavirus outbreak, the government temporarily freed Khaleda Zia from jail through an executive order suspending her sentence on March 25, 2020, with the condition that she stay in her Gulshan house and not leave the country. Khaleda Zia now taken back to cabin from CCU

BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, who is now undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka, was transferred to the Coronary Care Unit (CCU) from a cabin in the early hours of Monday (September 18, 2023). "Khaleda Zia was transferred to the CCU at 1:30 am as per the recommendation of her medical board,” Shamsuddin Didar, a member of the BNP chairperson's media wing, confirmed to the media. Read: Court allows 3 foreigners to testify against Khaleda in Niko graft case The 78-year-old former prime minister has been suffering from various ailments, including liver cirrhosis, arthritis, diabetes, kidney, lung, heart, and eye problems. Since her conditional release in 2020, the BNP chief has been receiving treatment at the hospital under a medical board headed by cardiologist Prof Shahabuddin Talukder. Read: Govt ‘plotting to kill’ Khaleda restricting her treatment abroad: BNP Khaleda was sent to the Old Dhaka Jail after a lower court sentenced her to five years' imprisonment in the Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case on February 8, 2018. Later, she was found guilty in another corruption case the same year. Amid the coronavirus outbreak, the government temporarily freed Khaleda Zia from jail through an executive order suspending her sentence on March 25, 2020, with the condition that she stay in her Gulshan house and not leave the country.

A student of Jahangirnagar University, who was undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in the capital after being hit by a truck on Friday, died Sunday noon. The deceased was identified as Fabiha Afifa Srijani, a student of the university’s Economics Department. Fabiha was put on life support at the hospital and breathed her last at 12:30 pm, said Rony Hossain, an assistant proctor of the university. Two bikers killed in separate road accidents in Dhaka Fabiha was injured when the truck hit her while she was crossing the road along with her younger sister in the city's Purbachal area on Friday. Later, she was taken to Evercare Hospital in Bashundhara. Traffic police killed in Gaibandha road accident; 3 arrested