BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s health condition remains stable and she is continuing her treatment as advised by doctors, her personal physician Prof AZM Zahid Hossain has said.
He made the comments while briefing reporters outside Evercare Hospital in Dhaka on Thursday afternoon.
“Her condition is stable. So far, Madam (Khaleda Zia) has been able to receive and comply with the treatment being given to her according to the doctors’ advice,” Prof Zahid said.
“Alhamdulillah, over the last few days she has been able to maintain the same physical condition she was in earlier,” he added.
Khaleda Zia was admitted to Evercare Hospital on November 23. Three days later, after developing a lung infection, she was shifted to the Critical Care Unit (CCU). A medical board comprising local and foreign physicians, led by Prof Shahabuddin Talukder, has been overseeing her treatment.
Expressing optimism about her recovery, Prof Zahid said: “All of us involved in her treatment, including the hospital doctors, are very hopeful. Inshallah, Begum Khaleda Zia will gradually recover.”
However, he cautioned that her condition is complicated due to prolonged illness and past deprivation of timely and proper treatment.
“One must remember that beyond her age, the severity of her illnesses and the way she was deliberately pushed into prolonged poor health in previous years—when she was not allowed to receive adequate treatment—have significantly increased her physical complications. This time, she is spending a longer period in treatment,” he said.
Prof Zahid said BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman and his wife Zubaida Rahman are constantly monitoring Khaleda Zia’s treatment.
Among family members, the late Arafat Rahman Koko’s wife Syeda Shamila Rahman, Khaleda Zia’s brother Shamim Eskandar, her elder sister Selina Islam, and other relatives are also keeping regular contact and updates.
“As she is in the CCU, no one can stay beside her directly. However, family members are present at the hospital or outside it and are regularly enquiring about her treatment,” he added.
Prof Zahid also expressed gratitude to the head of the interim government, advisers, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, members of the party’s Standing Committee, and the doctors, nurses and staff of Evercare Hospital for their overall support and cooperation.
Appeal to party leaders and activists
Prof Zahid urged BNP leaders and activists to remain considerate of other patients being treated at the hospital.
“There are many other patients receiving treatment here. To ensure their care is not disrupted, law enforcement agencies are extending cooperation. Through you, I would like to request everyone to remember that this hospital is open to all, and everyone has the right to receive services here,” he said.
“We firmly believe and expect that no leader or activist will create any kind of disturbance, and that Khaleda Zia’s treatment will not cause any disruption to the treatment of others,” he added.
