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Ailing ex-premier and BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia's London trip is delayed as her health condition doesn't support at the moment, a spokesman said Saturday, quoting a multinational medical board's decision.
Taking the BNP chairperson abroad for advanced treatment depends on her physical condition, says Dr AZM Zahid Hossain while updating reporters on her health.
Her personal physician and BNP standing committee member, Dr Hossain notes that considering Khaleda Zia's physical condition, there is a delay in taking her abroad.
The Qatari air ambulance could not come for Khaleda Zia due to a technical glitch. However, at the time, the members of the medical board also decided in an emergency meeting that it would not be right to go at this time, he explains.
"An air ambulance is ready at all times. However, the medical board feels that it would not be right for her to fly at the moment. She will be taken abroad only after the medical board decides," he continues, adding that Khaleda Zia, who is undergoing treatment at the capital's Ever Care Hospital, remains stable.
"It is tough for a patient to adopt high altitude during flying in aircraft. So, doctors have to consider this situation and they will make decisions depending on her health condition," he told the journalists outside the hospital.
The BNP chief has been undergoing treatment at Ever Care Hospital for 14 days. She was taken to the hospital on the night of November 23 after she developed breathing difficulties.
Khaleda Zia's medical treatment is underway under a medical board consisting of local and foreign experts led by Prof Shahabuddin Talukder.
The issue of her medical safety is now taking precedence. The local and foreign doctors in charge of her treatment are also giving the utmost importance to Khaleda Zia's physical condition.
Acting chairman of the former ruling party Tarique Rahman has also said that decisions should be made based on the advice of doctors, says Dr Hossain, urging people not to lend ear to any rumours about Khaleda Zia's physical condition.
Dr Zubaida Rahman, wife of party acting chairman Tarique Rahman, again went to Evercare Hospital in the capital to see Khaleda Zia Saturday.
Meanwhile, BNP chairperson's adviser Enamul Haque Chowdhury separately said that a specialized air ambulance is ready to take Khaleda Zia to London for advanced treatment. The air ambulance will come to Dhaka only if the medical board declares her fit to fly and gives the 'green signal'.
The octogenarian has been suffering from various complications, including heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, liver cirrhosis, and kidney problems, for a long time.
She was sentenced to prison in two cases during the Awami League government, which was toppled in a mass uprising last year, and was held in prison for more than two years.
The BNP leader was not allowed to go abroad for treatment despite severe health complications and requests from her doctors.
She was released after former prime minister Sheikh Hasina flew to India on August 5 last year in the face of the uprising.
