Staff Reporter :
BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia is set to be admitted to The London Clinic, a renowned medical facility in London, upon her arrival at Heathrow International Airport, according to her personal physician, Professor Dr AZM Zahid Hossain.
Upon arrival at Heathrow, Khaleda Zia will be received by BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, his wife, and leaders of the BNP UK chapter.
She will then be taken directly to The London Clinic, where specialists will conduct a thorough assessment of her health and determine the next steps for her treatment.
Khaleda Zia will meet her son Tarique Rahman after seven years. Earlier, she met Tarique on mid July, 2017 while she made a trip to London.
Speaking at a press briefing at the BNP Chairperson’s office in Gulshan, Dr Zahid confirmed that a special Royal Air Ambulance, arranged by Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, will arrive at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 7:30 PM on Monday to transport Khaleda to London.
Dr Zahid, who is also a member of the BNP Standing Committee, stated that Khaleda, accompanied by six members of her medical team and four doctors from the air ambulance crew, will depart Dhaka for London via Doha at 10 PM on Tuesday.
Dr Zahid emphasised that all necessary formalities have been completed to facilitate her travel.
“The London Clinic, a reputable hospital under the NHS framework, will admit her immediately upon her arrival,” he said.
The 79-year-old former Prime Minister, who has served three terms, will remain under the care of the hospital’s advanced medical team.
Dr Zahid revealed that Khaleda Zia has been suffering from multiple health issues, including compensated liver cirrhosis (Grade 2), chronic kidney disease, and complications arising from COVID-19.
He added that Khaleda had previously undergone a TIPS (transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt) procedure, but further evaluations are needed to ensure the proper functioning of her stents and address blockages in her heart.
The six-member medical team accompanying Khaleda includes Professor Shahabuddin Talukdar, Professor FM Siddique, Professor Naruddin Ahmed, Dr Zafar Iqbal, Dr AZM Zahid Hossain, and Dr Mohammad Al Mamun.
Her entourage will also include family members, personal staff, and BNP officials.
Dr Zahid highlighted the multidisciplinary capabilities of The London Clinic, noting that it is well-suited to address Khaleda’s complex medical needs.
Regarding the possibility of a liver transplant, he explained that this decision would be made after a thorough evaluation by her doctors, considering her age and overall health.
When asked about potential treatment in the United States, Dr Zahid mentioned that Khaleda Zia might be transferred to Johns Hopkins University Hospital if her current doctors recommend it.
Regarding a potential Umrah pilgrimage during her return journey, Dr Zahid noted that this would depend on her health at the time.
The BNP Acting Chairman and Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir have urged the people of Bangladesh to pray for Khaleda Zia’s swift recovery, enabling her to return home soon.
This will be Khaleda’s second overseas medical visit, following her 2017 trip to London for treatment. It also marks her first reunion with her son, Tarique Rahman, in seven years and her first overseas journey since her release from jail.
Despite her deteriorating health, the Awami League government had previously denied her permission to travel abroad for treatment.
However, following the government’s fall on 5 August, she was fully released under an executive order, enabling her to seek medical care overseas.
Khaleda Zia has been contending with a range of health problems, including diabetes, arthritis, and complications affecting her liver, kidneys, lungs, heart, and vision.
In October 2021, her doctors strongly advocated for her overseas treatment following a diagnosis of liver cirrhosis.
In October 2022, a team of U.S. specialists performed the TIPS procedure to manage fluid accumulation and liver bleeding.
In March 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Khaleda Zia was temporarily released under a government executive order, which stipulated that she remain at her Gulshan residence and not leave the country. Her full freedom was granted by President Mohammed Shahabuddin on 6 August 2023.
