Air ambulance not coming to take Khaleda to London
An air ambulance scheduled to fly BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia to London will no longer arrive in Dhaka, airport officials confirmed on Monday, December 8.
A German-based medical evacuation aircraft had earlier been cleared to land at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 8am on Tuesday, December 9.
However, the operator withdrew the request and sought cancellation of the landing permission on Monday.
The Civil Aviation Authority will now forward the cancellation to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for further action.
Airport officials said the aircraft had originally been approved to land at 8am and depart around 9pm on Tuesday.
Following the selection of an alternative air ambulance suitable for long-haul medical transport, the Qatari government had chartered the mission to FAI Aviation Group, which was set to operate the flight.
The development comes amid renewed assessments by Khaleda Zia’s medical team.
On Sunday night, a physician on the board, speaking on condition of anonymity, told wire service UNB that the BNP chief has shown slight improvement and may recover with continued treatment in Bangladesh.
“Madam is better than before. We believe she can improve with treatment in the country. She has previously recovered from more critical conditions. It may not be necessary to take her to London,” the doctor told reporters, according to UNB.
He said several key health indicators — including results from CT scans, ECG and other tests conducted Sunday – had improved.
Her stay in the CCU will depend on her rate of recovery, he added. “Local and foreign doctors are ensuring the best possible care. Her daughter-in-law Dr Zubaida Rahman is coordinating treatment at her bedside and will remain in Bangladesh for several more days.”
Family members including her younger brother, his wife and Khaleda’s two daughters-in-law have remained by her side.
Meanwhile, BNP Chairperson’s Adviser Dr Enamul Haque Chowdhury reiterated that Khaleda Zia would be flown to London as soon as the medical board gives its final recommendation.
Shortly after UNB’s report, BNP’s media cell cautioned the media against publishing unverified information about her health. Media cell member Shairul Kabir Khan said some outlets were circulating updates “based on sources,” including reports that Khaleda Zia underwent a CT scan. He had termed those reports based on speculation.
Shairul Kabir said that releasing information without official confirmation could create unnecessary confusion, calling on the media to rely only on verified updates from the medical board.