Former Bangladesh PM Khaleda Zia's London Medical Treatment Delayed Due to Technical Issues and Health Concerns

Reports indicate that Khaleda Zia was hospitalized at Evercare hospital on November 23 evening.

Dhaka:

According to Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam, former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia's planned journey to London for advanced medical treatment is unlikely to occur before Sunday due to delays with her scheduled medical flight and a slight deterioration in her health condition, as reported by local media on Friday.

In conversation with Bangladeshi news outlet UNB, Fakhrul explained that technical issues prevented the special air ambulance provided by the Emir of Qatar from arriving in Dhaka on Friday.

"The air ambulance cannot arrive today because of technical issues. If all goes well, it may reach Dhaka on Saturday," the BNP leader stated.

Fakhrul mentioned that the final decision regarding Khaleda Zia's flight to the UK will depend on her health condition on the travel day, noting that her physical state worsened slightly Thursday night.

"A medical procedure will be performed today, after which doctors will determine if she is fit to fly. Everything depends on her health condition. If madam is suitable for travel and the medical board approves, she will fly on Sunday (December 7)," he explained.

Previously on Thursday, A Z M Zahid Hossain, Khaleda Zia's personal physician and BNP Standing Committee member, had indicated that the former Prime Minister was expected to be transported to London for advanced medical treatment on Friday.

Speaking at a press briefing outside Dhaka's Evercare Hospital, Zahid mentioned that a medical board comprising local and international specialists had unanimously agreed on this decision.

"She will be transported to London via a Qatar Royal air ambulance. We have selected a London hospital for her treatment and will take her there," UNB quoted Zahid as saying.

The 80-year-old former Prime Minister has been struggling with numerous long-term health issues, including cardiac problems, diabetes, arthritis, liver cirrhosis, and kidney ailments.

She remains under intensive observation in the hospital's Coronary Care Unit (CCU), with both local and international specialist physicians overseeing her treatment.

Reports suggest that Khaleda Zia was admitted to Evercare hospital on November 23 night following the medical board's recommendation, after being diagnosed with infections affecting her heart and lungs.

As her condition deteriorated, she was transferred to the hospital's CCU on November 27.