The long-anticipated medical evacuation of former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia to the United Kingdom has been delayed once more, deepening uncertainty surrounding her treatment abroad. Despite earlier confirmation from her medical team and BNP officials that she would be flown to London this weekend, the specialised air ambulance arranged for her transfer did not arrive in Dhaka on schedule.
According to hospital sources, the air ambulance — provided through high-level diplomatic arrangements — experienced unexpected technical issues, forcing a postponement of its departure. Doctors monitoring the BNP chairperson stated that her condition remains “extremely fragile”, and that any international transfer must occur under stable and strictly controlled circumstances.
Hospital insiders noted that while her readiness for travel had improved earlier in the week, a slight deterioration in her health on Friday led the medical board to adopt a more cautious stance. “Her vitals fluctuate. We cannot take risks when the journey is long and requires uninterrupted critical care,” a senior physician said.
BNP leaders, who have been preparing legal and logistical arrangements for the transfer, expressed frustration but emphasised that they are prioritising her safety. “The party and her family are ready. But this decision ultimately lies with the medical board,” a senior BNP official told reporters.
The new tentative plan suggests that she may fly on Sunday, subject to the air ambulance’s arrival and final medical clearance. However, sources warned that even this timeline remains uncertain given the complexity of her condition and international arrangements.
Khaleda Zia, 80, has been battling multiple health complications for months and has been undergoing treatment at a specialised facility in Dhaka. Her doctors have repeatedly stressed that the advanced care she requires is unavailable in Bangladesh.
As political tensions rise and party supporters gather outside the hospital, authorities have strengthened security around the medical facility to maintain order.
For now, Khaleda’s departure hangs in a delicate balance — dependent not on political readiness but on fragile health and precise medical timing. Her supporters hope that the next 24 hours will finally bring the green signal for her transfer to the UK, where specialists await her arrival.
