The Qatari government is arranging an air ambulance to transport former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia to London for advanced medical care. Qatar officially informed Bangladesh of this arrangement today, Thursday.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Qatari Embassy in Dhaka agreed this morning to the request made in a diplomatic note dated 30 November.
On 29 November, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir wrote to Qatar’s Ambassador Seraiya Ali Al Kahtani requesting air ambulance arrangements. On 30 November, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs followed up to urgently arrange the air ambulance to ensure Khaleda Zia receives immediate treatment in London.
The letter also thanked the Amir of Qatar for previously arranging air ambulance service for Khaleda Zia’s January journey to London, which also included transport from Dhaka to London and back in May via Qatar Royal Air Ambulance.
Diplomatic sources confirmed that the Qatari Embassy in Dhaka has expressed readiness to provide the air ambulance. All required documents for the Dhaka-London trip, including details about the Chairperson, her companions, and scheduled timings, must be submitted promptly.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir told a briefing at the party office in Gulshan that the air ambulance sent by the Amir of Qatar would arrive tonight and Khaleda Zia would travel to London tomorrow morning.
On 23 November night, she was admitted to Evercare Hospital due to breathing difficulties. A lung infection was detected, and she was moved from SDU to ICU early on Sunday as her condition deteriorated.
Party leaders and supporters have been gathering in front of Evercare Hospital today. Around 10:30 am, a crowd was seen outside the hospital.
British specialist Richard Beale arrived yesterday afternoon to assist in her treatment. A four-member medical team from China joined yesterday evening and directly visited Evercare Hospital.
Her treatment is overseen by a medical board including Bangladeshi experts, doctors from Johns Hopkins Hospital in the US, and London clinic specialists. On 1 December, a five-member advanced Chinese medical team arrived in Dhaka to support her care.
Glive24/SS