Qatari air ambulance awaits green signal to fly Khaleda to London
An air ambulance arranged by the Emir of Qatar will fly to Dhaka immediately once the medical board treating Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson Khaleda Zia approves her travel abroad for advanced treatment, a senior party official said on Saturday.
BNP Chairperson’s adviser Enamul Haque Chowdhury told reporters that the aircraft, sourced from Germany under Qatari royal authority, is fully prepared and awaiting only the doctors’ decision.
“The air ambulance will arrive in Bangladesh as soon as Madam’s medical board decides she is fit to travel. They are ready accordingly,” Chowdhury said. “I have been in constant contact with the Qatari authorities on behalf of the party. When the board confirms she can fly, the ambulance will come to Dhaka straight away.”
He added that, upon receiving clearance, the former prime minister will be taken directly to London for further treatment, with all arrangements already completed by the Qatari side.
Clarifying reports of German involvement, Chowdhury said: “Yes, the air ambulance has been organised from Germany. We are not arranging anything ourselves. The Qatari authorities have provided a modern air ambulance, and everything is being handled under the royal authority for Bangladesh’s former prime minister.”
Medical condition remains critical
Meanwhile, Khaleda Zia’s condition in the Critical Care Unit (CCU) of Evercare Hospital has shown no significant change, doctors said. A member of the medical board, speaking on condition of anonymity, told the news agency UNB that the 79-year-old opposition leader has not yet achieved the stability required for a long-haul flight.
“For this reason her journey to London has been delayed,” the doctor said. “The board has conducted several tests over the past two days and is reviewing the results. We are meeting daily to monitor her condition and treatment progress.”
The BNP chief has been receiving treatment at Evercare Hospital since 23 November and was transferred to the CCU on 27 November due to multiple complications. Her care is being overseen by a medical board headed by Professor Shahabuddin Talukder and includes both Bangladeshi and foreign specialists.
Previous Qatari assistance
In January this year, Khaleda Zia was flown to London in a Qatari air ambulance for advanced treatment at The London Clinic. She returned to Dhaka four months later, on 6 May, using the same aircraft.
Her daughter-in-law, Dr Zubaida Rahman – a member of the current medical board – arrived in Dhaka from London on Friday and is expected to accompany her abroad once clearance is granted.
Press briefing scheduled
The medical board is due to provide an update on Khaleda Zia’s health later today. Her personal physician and board member Professor Dr AZM Zahid Hossain will brief journalists outside Evercare Hospital at 3:15 pm on Saturday.
BNP Media Cell member Shayerul Kabir Khan said the briefing is being held “to provide clear and updated information on the treatment and current physical condition of Khaleda Zia” on behalf of the family and the party.
Source: UNB, Senior Staff Reporter