Khaleda Zia's Health Worsens: Chief Adviser Visits in Hospital Stay

On Wednesday, Bangladesh's Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus paid a visit to former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka, where she is facing serious health challenges. During his visit, which lasted around thirty minutes, Yunus encouraged Zia's family, party members, and supporters to stay hopeful as her medical care continues. According to his press release, he was updated by the medical board chair concerning Zia's condition, confirming that specialists from two prominent US hospitals, in addition to doctors from the UK, China, and elsewhere, are actively monitoring her situation. Yunus also reiterated the government's commitment to supporting her treatment.

Zia has been hospitalized since November 23, contending with various health issues, and was transferred to the Critical Care Unit (CCU) of Evercare Hospital on November 27 due to a decline in her health. Despite frequent updates from her personal doctor, AZM Zahid Hossain, who is also a BNP Standing Committee member, detailed information regarding her current state has not been publicly disclosed. Hossain has mentioned earlier reports of her positive response to the given treatment.

Chief Adviser Yunus's visit comes after several high-ranking officials, including General Waker uz Zaman, Admiral M Nazmul Hassan, and Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood, recently visited Zia in the hospital. Along with her healthcare team, numerous family members, including her younger brother Shamim Iskandar, are present to support her during this critical time.

In London, Zia's eldest son and BNP's self-exiled acting chairman Tarique Rahman has been managing her treatment from abroad. He expressed his feelings of longing for his mother in a recent social media update and noted the complexities limiting his ability to make direct choices about her healthcare due to legal and political issues. Rahman has been in London since 2008, following a series of convictions, which were later annulled or overturned by Bangladeshi courts. Authorities confirmed there are no restrictions on his return and promised security provisions for any visit, but he has yet to request travel documents.

International focus on Zia's health continues, with Chinese President Xi Jinping dispatching a second group of medical experts to assist in her treatment shortly after a team of British doctors arrived in Dhaka. Likewise, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed concern for her wellbeing and offered comprehensive support, while Pakistan’s Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has sent prayers and well-wishes for her swift recovery.

As Khaleda Zia remains under intensive care, her condition is being closely watched by both international and local medical professionals, amid growing concern from citizens of Bangladesh and neighboring countries regarding the health of this influential political figure.