Khaleda Zia at risk, must be taken abroad for treatment: Medical board

Coordinator of medical board constituted for Khaleda Zia's treatment, physician SM Siddique has said her life is in danger.

He said Khaleda Zia with her present condition cannot be taken home.

The physicians at the hospital have done everything possible in their capacity.

Now Khaleda Zia has to be taken abroad and then she may survive, Siddique added.

BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia has been undergoing treatment since 9 August at the Evercare Hospital. Her medical board organised a press conference at the hospital to disclose her physical condition on Monday.

FM Siddique said, "Water has accumulated in her liver and that water is being emitted. Her liver has been infected. She must be taken abroad to overcome this condition."

Physician Siddique said Khaleda Zia is not in a condition to be taken home.

He said the physical condition of Khaleda Zia is so vulnerable that she is not responding to strong antibiotics. Her life is at risk.

FM Siddique said Khaleda Zia should have taken abroad two years ago.

He said, "Members of the medical board have tried their level best. She is simply surviving because of the sincere efforts of the physicians. But we have our limitations. There is scope for Khaleda Zia's better treatment abroad. Khaleda Zia must be taken abroad. She needs to be taken to a multi-disciplinary centre. There are such arrangements abroad."

The BNP leader Khaleda Zia's medical board has been recommending that she be taken abroad and undergo a liver transplant.

Her personal physician AZM Zahid Hossain said, "Our medical board has done their level best. They have nothing more to do. There is a scope of treatment abroad.  Khaleda Zia has to be taken abroad to save her life."

Khaleda Zia was imprisoned on 8 February 2018 after she was convicted in two cases. The former prime minister was in jail for over two years.

Khaleda Zia, who was convicted in Zia Orphanage and Zia Charitable Trust corruption cases, was released on 25 March 2020 by the government postponing her conviction on conditions through an executive order.

On 12 September the home minister issued a notification to suspend Khaleda Zia's sentence and extend her release by another six months.