December 2, 2025
DHAKA – People across the country are growing more and more anxious about the health condition of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, who has been hospitalised for a week and has not shown any sign of improvement.
In towns and cities alike, prayers are being held for her speedy recovery.
Yesterday, a five-member team of foreign medical experts arrived at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka to assist with her treatment.
The former prime minister is in the hospital’s Coronary Care Unit (CCU). A medical board comprising foreign and local specialists is overseeing her treatment.
Party leaders said Khaleda’s condition remains unchanged and, as such, she is not fit to travel abroad for advanced care.
Upon arrival at the hospital, the visiting experts, mostly Chinese specialists, met Khaleda’s medical board and discussed her condition.
The board noted that additional expert opinion is urgently required. Another team of specialists from China is expected to arrive today.
Meanwhile, BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed has said the party’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman will return home soon.
He made the remark around 11:30pm yesterday while speaking to reporters in front of the party chairperson’s office in Gulshan following a meeting of the standing committee.
KHALEDA NOW VIP
Last night, the government declared Khaleda a “very important person”.
“Khaleda Zia has been declared a ‘very important person’ under Section 2 (a) of the Special Security Force Act, 2021. The decision takes immediate effect,” read an official notification.
With this, Khaleda comes under the protection of the Special Security Force.
Hours after the announcement, law enforcement officers cordoned off the area outside Evercare Hospital to keep out the crowd of visitors coming in to enquire about Khaleda’s health.
Speaking to reporters yesterday afternoon, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said, “Doctors are keeping madam [Khaleda] under close observation.”
He also urged party leaders, activists, and the public to pray for her speedy recovery.
At another programme, around the same time, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said, “Khaleda Zia is in the CCU. She is very ill. However, her condition has not changed… ”
A member of her medical board earlier told this newspaper that excess fluid has built up in her body, requiring regular dialysis.
The 80-year-old politician has long been battling multiple health complications, including liver cirrhosis, arthritis, diabetes, and issues affecting her kidneys, lungs, heart, and eyes. She has a pacemaker and has previously undergone stent implants in her heart.
CONCERN GROWS
Party leaders say the news of her illness has created a sense of unease within the party, with many leaders and activists travelling to Dhaka and gathering in front of the Evercare Hospital.
In Dhaka, Rajshahi, Chattogram, Barishal, Sylhet, Mymensingh and other districts, local BNP units and affiliated organisations arranged prayers in mosques, temples and community centres throughout the day.
Many supporters have also taken to social media, posting prayers for Khaleda’s swift recovery.
Family members, government officials and BNP leaders and activists visited the hospital all day long.
Khaleda’s younger brother Shamim Eskander, his wife Kaniz Fatema, and their son Avik Eskander were seen visiting the hospital in the afternoon.
Outside the hospital, Zonayed Saki, chief coordinator of Ganosamhati Andolon, said, “Over the last 15 years, Khaleda Zia has reached a new height by becoming a centre of hope and trust for people in the anti-fascist struggle.”
Calling her “a patriotic, democratic and uncompromising leader”, Jamaat Nayeb-e-Ameer Syeed Abdullah Muhammad Taher said, “She [Khaleda] is no longer just the leader of a party. She is the leader of all people.”
BNP leaders and activists gathered outside Evercare Hospital yesterday all day long to enquire about Khaleda’s health, despite repeated instructions from the party not to crowd the hospital premises.
Iqbal Hossain, a BNP activist from Madaripur, said, “I really want to see Madam. Even if I cannot see her, when Madam leaves the hospital, at least I will get to see her car.”
Gias Uddin, a Jubo Dal activist from Chapainawabganj, said, “I will try to see her, even for a moment.”
Another BNP activist, Julhas Hossain, said, “We know the party instructed us not to crowd here, but I couldn’t stay away. I came to stand here to know Madam’s condition.”
The Bangladesh Nationalist Pharmacy Association held a prayer event in front of the hospital.