Dhaka: Security was increased around Bangladesh’s former prime minister Khaleda Zia on Tuesday as a specialist medical team from China joined attempts to cure the ailing politician, who remains in a severely serious condition at a private hospital in Dhaka. Police built a blockade outside the main gate of Evercare Hospital at 2 am, with hospital sources saying more than two dozen workers have been assigned to limit patients’ mobility and reinforce Zia’s protection, The Daily Star newspaper reported.
The 80-year-old Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader was brought to the hospital on November 23 after being diagnosed with illnesses damaging her heart and lungs. Four days later, the three-time prime minister was shifted to the coronary care unit after several of her health complications worsened. Her condition deteriorated further, and she was placed on ventilation on Sunday night, BNP Vice-Chairman Advocate Ahmed Aazam Khan said on Monday.
A five-member specialized team from China arrived in Dhaka on Monday and was observed entering the hospital late in the night, according to the Dhaka Tribune newspaper. The group earlier conducted a meeting with the medical board supervising Zia’s treatment, stated the board’s head and cardiologist, Dr Shahabuddin Talukder. Talukder claimed Zia’s condition remained constant and that she was not suitable to fly abroad for advanced treatment.
He noted that further expert input was urgently needed, with another team of Chinese specialists set to arrive later on Tuesday. The Special Security Force (SSF) was sent to protect Zia after the interim administration decided on Monday to designate her as a very, very important person. Four SSF personnel visited the hospital at midnight and assessed various portions of the structure for about three hours.
Zia is presently residing in a cabin on the fourth floor, where nearby cabins have been emptied as part of heightened security precautions. The three-time prime minister was taken to the private hospital on November 23 after being diagnosed with illnesses damaging her heart and lungs. Four days later, when her problems got worse, she was sent to the coronary care unit. Her condition deteriorated significantly, and she was placed on ventilation on Sunday night, BNP Vice-Chairman Advocate Ahmed Aazam Khan stated on Monday. Her situation is quite severe. There is nothing more to do except ask prayers from the whole nation, he told reporters.
Salahuddin Ahmed, a member of the BNP Standing Committee, informed reporters late on Monday that Tarique Rahman, the party’s interim chairman and Zia’s son, will soon return to Bangladesh after living in self-exile in London for more than ten years. On Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was deeply concerned about Zia’s health and promised to help in any way he could. Across Bangladesh, prayers are being conducted for Zia’s recovery. Local BNP units and affiliated organisations conducted special prayers in mosques, temples and community centres in Dhaka, Rajshahi, Chattogram, Barishal, Sylhet, Mymensingh and other districts. Many admirers also turned to social media to express prayers and messages wishing her a fast recovery.
Security Tightened as Chinese Medics Join Zia Treatment Efforts
