Khaleda Zia to be flown to London: Air ambulance approved for critically ill ex-Bangladesh PM; transfer likely by Friday

A medical board overseeing critically ill former Bangladesh prime minister Khaleda Zia has determined to send her to London for specialist treatment, according to her personal physician AZM Zahid Hossain.According to PTI, Zia, aged 80 and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chairperson, is scheduled for transfer via air ambulance to London either late Thursday night or early Friday. Her elder son and acting BNP chief Tarique Rahman resides in London.Following a chest infection affecting her heart and lungs, Zia was hospitalised on November 23. She was moved to the coronary care unit (CCU) four days later due to deteriorating health complications."The medical board has unanimously decided that she will be taken to London via the Qatar Royal Air Ambulance, either after midnight tonight or early tomorrow morning," Hossain announced outside the hospital.Whilst Hossain, a BNP standing committee member, refrained from detailed comments about Zia's current condition.At Tuesday's briefing, he had noted her positive response to treatment. The decision for urgent transfer was made by an expanded medical board, including recently arrived specialists from China and the United Kingdom.

The BNP released a list of 14 accompanying individuals, including Syeda Shameela Rahman, widow of Zia's younger son Arafat Rahman, six doctors, party adviser Enamul Haque Chowdhury, two Special Security Force (SSF) agents from Muhammad Yunus' interim government, and personal assistants.Qatar offered their air ambulance service whilst military and air force helicopters conducted rooftop landing tests at the hospital.

A helicopter transfer is expected from hospital to airport.A Chinese medical team of four specialists arrived Wednesday night, joining a UK medical group led by Dr Richard Buell. This marked the second Chinese delegation, following an advance team's arrival on December 1.Interim government leader Muhammad Yunus visited Wednesday, following visits from military service chiefs. Family members present include her younger brother Shamim Iskandar, his wife Kaniz Fatema, and Sharmila Rahman.Tarique Rahman wrote on Facebook: "In this time of crisis, like any child, I too long for the comforting touch of my mother.""But unlike others, to make a unilateral decision in this regard is not in my hands alone nor solely within my control. The sensitivity of this matter also limits the scope for detailed explanation," he stated.Rahman has resided in London since 2008, previously facing various legal charges. In 2024, Yunus' government withdrew these cases, with courts issuing revised acquittals.Government advisers have assured his safe return. Foreign adviser Touhid Hossain confirmed readiness to process travel documents, though no requests had been received through Wednesday evening.Nationwide prayer gatherings are being held across Bangladesh, including Dhaka, Jhenaidah, Sunamganj, Bagerhat, Cumilla, Chuadanga and Munshiganj, for Zia's recovery.