Begum Zia is able to receive treatment: Dr. Zahid

BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, who is undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital, is able to receive the doctors’ treatment, according to her personal physician and Standing Committee member Dr. AZM Zahid Hossain. Dr. Zahid also stated that Begum Zia is responding after receiving the treatment.

He made these remarks in response to a question during a briefing regarding Khaleda Zia’s medical condition at the gate of Evercare Hospital in the capital on Wednesday night.

Dr. Zahid Hossain said, “She (Khaleda Zia) is undergoing treatment in the ICU. She is receiving the highest level of treatment available. She is receiving the treatment necessary for a critically ill person. Begum Zia is undergoing treatment, and I humbly request everyone not to pay heed to any rumors regarding this. And the treatment being provided to her is something she is able to accept. And after receiving treatment, she is genuinely responding.”

Dr. Zahid said, “Last Friday, due to a technical fault in the air ambulance and the condition of Khaleda Zia’s health not being suitable for a flight in the air ambulance, we could not take her abroad at that time. The medical board has advised treatment to improve her health. We are trying, we are moving forward—to ensure the best possible care. So that she can receive the best treatment in the world. For this reason, her treatment is continuing here, based on the advice of doctors at all levels.”

Dr. Zahid expressed optimism, saying, “We are very hopeful that her proper treatment can be ensured. Subsequently, she might be taken abroad at any time if necessary.”

He informed that all members of the medical board formed for Khaleda Zia, under the constant supervision of BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, are always extremely vigilant and responsibly performing their duties to ensure her proper treatment.

“Foreign doctors outside of Bangladesh are also connected to this medical board, which is why our medical board meetings must be held at night. All in all, the doctors are performing their duties with utmost dedication. Especially Dr. Zubaida Rahman is constantly monitoring her treatment.”

Khaleda Zia has been undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in Bashundhara since November 23. Due to the deterioration of her condition from a lung infection, doctors moved her to the Critical Care Unit on November 27 and are providing her with intensive, specialized treatment. A medical board of specialists led by Professor Shahabuddin Talukder is overseeing Khaleda Zia’s treatment plan.

Dr. Zubaida Rahman, the wife of BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, is also a member of this medical board. She arrived in Dhaka from London on December 5 to take her mother-in-law, Begum Khaleda Zia, to London for advanced treatment. The 80-year-old Khaleda Zia has been suffering from various physical complications, including heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, liver cirrhosis, and kidney complications for a long time.

Meanwhile, Advisor to the Ministry of Home Affairs, Lieutenant General (Retd.) Jahangir Alam, visited Evercare Hospital in the afternoon to inquire about Khaleda Zia’s physical condition. He stayed at the hospital for over an hour. During this time, the Home Advisor spoke with the doctors involved in Khaleda Zia’s treatment. He participated in a briefing about her current physical condition, ongoing treatment, and the next course of action.