Khaleda Zia may need treatment abroad, but not fit for travel: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday said the medical board treating party Chairperson and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia has observed that she may need treatment abroad, but her current condition is not suitable for travel.
“As you all know, our country’s undisputed leader, the Mother of Democracy, Begum Khaleda Zia, has been seriously ill and admitted to Evercare Hospital for several days. Her condition is quite critical,” he said.
Speaking at a press conference at the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office, he said distinguished doctors from Bangladesh, as well as specialist physicians from Johns Hopkins in the United States and the London Clinic in the UK, are overseeing her treatment.
“Last night, the full medical board held a meeting for nearly two and a half hours. They discussed her treatment in detail and shared their opinions on how her care should proceed and what type of treatment she now requires. The medical board has said that she may need to be taken abroad, but in her current physical condition, it is not possible to move her. She is not fit for overseas travel right now,” Fakhrul said.
Once her condition stabilises, he said the medical board will consider whether she can be taken abroad.
Fakhrul also mentioned that preparations for possible overseas treatment of the BNP chief are already underway.
“Visa matters, communication with countries where treatment might be possible, and other formalities have been discussed in detail. These preparations are progressing. So, if the need arises and she becomes ready to fly, a quick decision can be made,” he said.
The press conference was held to announce the BNP’s torch-roadshow programme for Victory Month.
During the event, Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir also responded to questions from journalists about why acting chairman Tarique Rahman has not returned to the country while his mother’s condition remains critical.
He said Tarique Rahman has already made a Facebook post on the matter and that the post should be taken as self-explanatory.
“There is no need for me to answer this, as he himself has made a post on Facebook,” Fakhrul said.
When reporters pressed further, he added, “I cannot explain this, because he is the party’s acting chairman, my leader, and the head of the party. He has made a post, and you can take that post as his statement. No further explanation is needed at this moment.”
In his Facebook post today, Tarique Rahman said that his return to the country is not entirely under his control.
As many people have continued gathering around the hospital, BNP leaders again urged people from all walks of life not to crowd the area.
“Naturally, Begum Khaleda Zia is the most popular leader in this country, and people are deeply worried about her illness. Large numbers of people are gathering at the hospital out of concern for her, but this is making the hospital authorities and the doctors very embarrassed.”
He said the overwhelming number of visitors has made hospital staff and doctors uneasy, affecting the treatment of Khaleda Zia as well as other patients.
“I sincerely request everyone not to gather at the hospital. I urge BNP leaders and activists, her well-wishers, and people across the country — please do not crowd the hospital,” Fakhrul said.
He said they will inform the public about her health condition through regular bulletins. “You will receive all updates in time. But once again, I request you all: please do not go there.”
Leaders and activists from various BNP units have continued gathering at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka to enquire about the health of party Chairperson and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia.
Despite the party’s request not to hold large gatherings, supporters continue to gather in the hospital area.
The large number of visitors has caused traffic congestion nearby, and journalists covering the scene are also facing difficulties.
Hospital authorities and law enforcement are monitoring the situation, but the crowd shows no sign of easing.
BNP leaders and activists said they came to learn the latest updates about the condition of their beloved leader, who has been fighting for her life at the hospital.
Earlier in the day, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi urged party leaders, activists and the general public to refrain from gathering at Evercare Hospital, warning that large crowds are hampering the treatment of Begum Khaleda Zia and causing inconvenience to other patients.
He also called upon everyone to pray for the BNP chairperson’s quick recovery.
Khaleda Zia 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.
She is also suffering from pneumonia and is currently under intensive observation in the Coronary Care Unit (CCU), being treated by specialist doctors from both home and abroad.