BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia is set to travel abroad for advanced medical treatment, just two and a half months after her release from corruption convictions. This information was disclosed on Tuesday (29 October), by her personal physician, Dr AZM Zahid Hossain.
Khaleda Zia, aged 79, will initially travel to London to reunite with her son, Tarique Rahman.
Arrangements have been made for a specialised air ambulance to transport her there, following which she will be admitted to a “multidisciplinary medical centre” in a third country, according to Dr AZM Zahid Hossain.
The former prime minister has long battled multiple health issues, including arthritis, heart disease, and complications with her lungs, liver, kidneys, and diabetes.
She has been receiving regular treatment at Evercare Hospital, a private facility in Dhaka.
Last year, on 9 August, Khaleda Zia was admitted to Evercare Hospital, where her family sought permission from the government to send her abroad for advanced treatment.
Permission was not granted at that time. Subsequently, on 27 October, three expert doctors were flown in from the United States to perform surgery on her liver to address cirrhosis-related complications.
Following over five months of hospital care, she returned home on 11 January this year, once her health had somewhat stabilised.
Khaleda Zia’s legal troubles began on 8 February 2018, when she was imprisoned for over two years following convictions in two corruption cases.
However, on 25 March 2020, the government provisionally suspended her sentence upon her family’s request, granting her conditional release, which has since been extended every six months.
With the recent change in administration, the interim government has now exonerated her of these charges, enabling her to seek treatment abroad freely.
