Security tightened at Evercare Hospital as Khaleda Zia receives VVIP status

Security has been strengthened at Evercare Hospital, as the government gave Very Very Important Person (VVIP) status to ailing BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia.

Around midnight Monday (1 December), additional law enforcement personnel were deployed in front of the hospital, and barricades were placed at the entrance area.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sheikh Md Sajjat Ali visited the hospital premises to inspect the security measures firsthand, though he did not speak to the media.

A senior officer of DMP's Gulshan Division confirmed that the barricades were installed after the government's decision to provide VVIP security to Khaleda Zia was finalised.

Meanwhile, at 12:35am the same night, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir left the hospital after visiting Khaleda Zia. Earlier, Professor Dr AZM Zahid Hossain, who is overseeing Khaleda Zia's treatment, accompanied Mirza Fakhrul to the hospital's CCU to check on the BNP chairperson's condition.

The 80-year-old former prime minister was admitted to Evercare Hospital on Sunday (23 November).

Her personal physician Dr Zahid said at the time that she had been admitted for tests on the advice of the medical board. After tests, doctors said she had developed a lung infection.

Professor FM Siddiqui, a member of the medical board, said on Monday (24 November) that she had been falling sick frequently in recent months and that multiple complications had appeared together, causing severe respiratory distress.

He noted that her heart problems, including a permanent pacemaker, a stent and mitral stenosis, had contributed to the seriousness of the chest infection.

Since 27 November, she has been receiving treatment in the critical care unit (CCU).

Due to her condition, the BNP has postponed its previously announced "Victory Torch Roadshow" for December.