Khaleda’s condition stable, able to receive treatment

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia's personal physician AZM Zahid Hossain on Tuesday said her health remained stable and she was able to receive treatment.

He said this while briefing reporters on her latest health condition outside Evercare Hospital, Dhaka, adding that a specialist would come from the UK later in the day for her treatment.

The former prime minister has been undergoing treatment since November 23 at the hospital.

She was later transferred to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) due to a sudden deterioration of her condition.

"Khaleda Zia is able to receive treatment. Or it can be said that she is able to respond to treatment," said Dr Hossain, adding that a decision would be made to take her abroad on the basis of the advice coming from the medical board and her physical condition.

"A specialist will come from the UK today. If the specialist thinks she can be transferred and if the medical board thinks she needs to be transferred, then she will be taken abroad for proper treatment," he added.

Dr Hossain called on the countrymen to exercise maximum restraint by not paying heed to any rumours about her condition.

"Tarique Rahman is supervising her treatment round the clock. Everyone, including the chief adviser, the government, and the hospital authorities, is providing all possible assistance."

Meanwhile, Special Security Force (SSF) personnel were deployed outside the hospital on Tuesday for her security.

Earlier on Monday, the interim government had declared her a Very Very Important Person (VVIP) of the state.

The 80-year-old has been suffering from various complications, including heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, liver cirrhosis, and kidney problems, for a long time.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday said the party's acting chairman, Tarique, would return home soon if her physical condition remained unchanged.

She was sentenced to prison in two cases during the ousted Awami League government and was imprisoned for more than two years.

The BNP leader was not allowed to go abroad for treatment despite severe health complications and requests from her doctors.

She was released after former prime minister Sheikh Hasina fled to India on August 5 last year in the face of a mass uprising that overthrew the Awami League government.

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