5-member Chinese medical team arrives as Khaleda Zia remains in critical condition
“Several tests will be conducted to identify the causes of certain complications. Once the test reports are available, new steps will be taken. So far, the BNP chairperson’s condition remains stable,” a medical board member said.
A five-member high-level medical team from China has arrived in Dhaka to help with the treatment of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, who is currently admitted to the Coronary Care Unit (CCU) of Evercare Hospital in a critical condition, according to BNP sources.
According to a senior BNP source, the delegation comprises five to six specialist doctors sent on behalf of the Chinese President Xi Jinping.
A medical board, consisting local and foreign specialist doctors, formed for the treatment of Khaleda, held a meeting today (1 December) to discuss the next course of action for her treatment.
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After the meeting ended around 10pm, a member of the medical board told reporters that some changes have been made to her treatment.
"She has been in the CCU for five consecutive days. Since this morning, her physical condition began to deteriorate slightly and it intensified by noon," the doctor said.
"Several tests will be conducted to identify the causes of certain complications. Once the test reports are available, new steps will be taken. So far, the BNP chairperson's condition remains stable," the doctor added.
Earlier on Saturday (29 November), BNP leaders said China had expressed interest in sending a team of medical experts to support the treatment of Khaleda Zia. At the time, party officials noted that specialists from several countries had been monitoring Khaleda Zia's condition.
BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi today said, "Madam is receiving treatment as before at the Intensive Care Unit of Evercare Hospital. Please do not be misled by anyone in this regard."
"Specialist doctors are constantly attending to her treatment. From what we have learned from them, her treatment is ongoing – that is the only update. Please pray so that Allah returns her to us in good health," he added.
The party's secretary general, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, also said, "Madam is receiving treatment under the intensive monitoring of her doctors.
"Various media outlets are publishing reports about Madam that are not accurate. No one should be misled by these."
He also urged party leaders, activists, and the people of the country to pray sincerely to the Almighty for the swift recovery of the party chairperson.
BNP Media Cell member Shairul Kabir Khan said the media will be informed in due time about her latest condition.
Earlier in the day, BNP Vice-Chairman Ahmed Azam Khan said Khaleda's condition has been very critical since last night (30 November).
Speaking to journalists in front of Evercare Hospital, he said, "She is in a deep condition. You can say she is on ventilation. You can say she is in a very critical condition."
"There is nothing more to do except seek prayers from the whole nation," he added.
Further details about her condition could not be obtained immediately.
Meanwhile, Shairul said, "No source or statement from anyone other than the chairperson's personal physician and BNP Standing Committee member Prof Dr AZM Zahid Hossain should be used."
Posts with unverified information about Khaleda have been made from various accounts, including one impersonating Zahid. Shairul confirmed that the account is fake and the information provided by it is not true.
Khaleda's eldest son and the BNP's acting chairman Tarique Rahman, in a Facebook post on 29 November, said he wished to return to Bangladesh from London to be by his mother's side, but added that the decision was not entirely his to make.
"Like any child, I long to feel my mother's comforting touch during such a crisis. But unlike others, I do not have unrestricted or independent authority to decide on returning home," he wrote, adding that the issue is sensitive and cannot be elaborated further.
Tarique, on behalf of their family, also expressed gratitude to people across the country for their prayers and concern for Khaleda.
The interim government, led by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, has confirmed that there were no objections from its side if Tarique wishes to return home.
Khaleda had been receiving treatment at her home in Gulshan -- since she was released from prison -- for various complications, including liver, kidney and heart-related issues.
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.
