Fakhrul: Khaleda Zia's condition much better

The health condition of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, currently undergoing treatment at a specialised hospital in London, is much better, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said on Tuesday.

Speaking at a press conference at the party chairperson’s office in Gulshan, she shared Khaleda’s health update in response to a question about her condition.

“We have received updates [about her condition]. She is now, Alhamdulillah, mentally and physically much better than before,” the BNP leader said.

Khaleda Zia was admitted to the London Clinic, a specialised hospital, on Wednesday for advanced treatment under the supervision of liver specialist Professor John Patrick Kennedy.

A six-member medical team from Bangladesh, including BNP standing committee member Dr AZM Zahid Hossain, accompanied Khaleda during her journey to London by an air ambulance provided by the Emir of Qatar.

The BNP chief has been receiving treatment for multiple ailments at the London Clinic.

When contacted, Dr Zahid said the doctors at the London Clinic have reviewed Khaleda’s medical history, including conditions related to her liver, kidneys and heart, in consultation with the Bangladeshi physicians who accompanied her.

“Madam (Khaleda) is doing better than before. Routine tests are being conducted by the doctors. Treatment is being provided based on the test reports and some changes have been made to her treatment protocol,” he said.

Zahid said Khaleda Zia is being served home-cooked meals prepared at the residence of the BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman in London.

He said Tarique and his wife, Zubaida Rahman, personally deliver the meals to the hospital four times a day—morning, noon, afternoon and evening.

The physician also said Khaleda Zia’s three granddaughters—Tarique Rahman’s daughter Zaima Rahman and Arafat Rahman Koko’s daughters Zahia Rahman and Zafia Rahman—are spending most of their time with their grandmother.

“Madam is mentally very happy and cheerful to have her granddaughters by her side after such a long time,” he said.

The 79-year-old former prime minister has long been suffering from liver cirrhosis, kidney complications, heart issues, diabetes, arthritis and other ailments.

Her health condition deteriorated after she was jailed in 2018 following her conviction in a corruption case. 

Amid the Covid-19 outbreak, the government temporarily freed Khaleda Zia from jail after 776 days through an executive order on March 25, 2020.

Since then, she had received treatment on several occasions at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka.

Source: UNB