London: BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia's health check-ups at a London clinic are set to conclude in the coming days, after which her physicians will decide the next steps in her treatment, according to her personal physician, Dr. AZM Zahid Hossain. Dr. Zahid provided this update to journalists outside the hospital, noting that the medical tests for her major complications are ongoing and a treatment plan will be formulated based on the results.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, discussions regarding a potential liver transplant are underway, contingent on the medical reports and Zia's overall fitness, as she is currently 79 years old. Dr. Zahid emphasized that numerous medical tests have been conducted since her admission to the London Clinic, under the supervision of renowned liver specialist Prof. John Patrick Kennedy. The medical board, which includes specialists such as Dr. Jennifer Cross, Dr. John Goldstone, and Satya Bhattacharya, is working alongside physicians from Bangladesh.
Dr. Zahid further recounted Zia's medical history, highlighting that she tested positive for COVID-19 on April 10, 2021, leading to 15 admissions at Dhaka's Evercare Hospital over 422 days due to various complications. The treatment at Evercare was facilitated by a large medical board, including physicians from John Hopkins Hospital, New York, Australia, and Bangladeshi doctors such as Dr. Zubaida Rahman. Foreign physicians have praised the care she received there.
In light of recent tests, the medical team has made adjustments to her treatment to incorporate the most modern techniques. Specialists in nephrology, hepatology, and liver transplantation are involved in her daily examinations. Zia and her family have expressed gratitude for the support received from well-wishers and journalists, as conveyed by UK BNP President and Chairperson's Adviser MA Malek, who relayed that Zia's condition is improving.
Khaleda Zia was admitted to the London Clinic on January 8 after being transported from Dhaka by a special air ambulance equipped with advanced medical facilities. Her son, BNP acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, and his wife Dr. Zubaida Rahman, accompanied her to the hospital. Zia's family, including her late son Arafat Rahman's wife, Syeda Sharmila Rahman, and her granddaughters, are actively involved in her care and provide her with homemade meals.
The former premier's health issues have been ongoing, exacerbated by her imprisonment following a 2018 conviction. Her condition has been critical at times, necessitating extensive treatment at Dhaka's Evercare Hospital. The information was shared by her personal physician, Dr. Zahid, and members of the UK BNP leadership with journalists in London and Dhaka through the BNP media cell.