STAFF CORRESPONDENT

People across the country are growing more and more anxious about the health condition of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, who has been hospitalised for a week and has not shown any sign of improvement.

In towns and cities alike, prayers are being held for her speedy recovery.

Yesterday, a five-member team of foreign medical experts arrived at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka to assist with her treatment.

The former prime minister is in the hospital’s Coronary Care Unit (CCU). A medical board comprising foreign and local specialists is overseeing her treatment.

Party leaders said Khaleda’s condition remains unchanged and, as such, she is not fit to travel abroad for advanced care.

Upon arrival at the hospital, the visiting experts, mostly Chinese specialists, met Khaleda’s medical board and discussed her condition.

The board noted that additional expert opinion is urgently required. Another team of specialists from China is expected to arrive today.

Meanwhile, BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed has said the party’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman will return home soon.

He made the remark around 11:30pm yesterday while speaking to reporters in front of the party chairperson’s office in Gulshan following a meeting of the standing committee.

KHALEDA NOW VIP

Last night, the government declared Khaleda a “very important person”.

“Khaleda Zia has been declared a ‘very important person’ under Section 2 (a) of the Special Security Force Act, 2021. The decision takes immediate effect,” read an official notification.

With this, Khaleda comes under the protection of the Special Security Force.

Hours after the announcement, law enforcement officers cordoned off the area outside Evercare Hospital to keep out the crowd of visitors coming in to enquire about Khaleda’s health.

Speaking to reporters yesterday afternoon, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said,

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