Dhaka: Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia is set to depart for London on January 7 for medical treatment. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir announced this at a media briefing held at Begum Khaleda Zia's Gulshan residence, Firoza.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Begum Zia issued a statement urging her party members to work together, serve the people, and support democracy. Fakhrul expressed gratitude for her leadership and stated that Khaleda Zia, who has consistently upheld democratic principles and national sovereignty, will travel to London for necessary medical care. He also mentioned that the party members gathered to extend their best wishes for her recovery.
Fakhrul emphasized the party's prayers for her swift recovery and return to Bangladesh. He noted that her return will depend on the progress of her treatment, expressing hope for her quick comeback.
Khaleda Zia hosted a gathering of BNP's Standing Committee members to finalize travel preparations at her Gulshan residence. At 79, she is dealing with several health issues, including liver cirrhosis, heart disease, and kidney problems.
Initially, Khaleda Zia will reside at her son Tarique Rahman's London home before proceeding to the United States for advanced liver treatment at Johns Hopkins University Hospital in Maryland. A multi-disciplinary medical team at Johns Hopkins, led by three expert physicians, will conduct her liver transplant procedures. Previously, on October 26, these specialists performed a specialized TIPS procedure in Dhaka to manage her liver complications.
The gathering at her residence included notable BNP Standing Committee Members such as Dr. Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Jamir Uddin Sircar, Mirza Abbas, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Abdul Moyeen Khan, Nazrul Islam Khan, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, Selima Rahman, Salahuddin Ahmed, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, Hafizuddin Ahmed, and AZM Zahid Hossain. Additionally, Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) President Col (retd) Oli Ahmed, Bir Bikram, also met with Khaleda Zia.