BNP leaders and activists continued to appear outside Evercare Hospital in Dhaka on Saturday, even though the party had earlier instructed its members not to crowd the area where Chairperson Khaleda Zia is undergoing treatment.
When reporters visited the hospital premises around 4pm, more than 50 activists were seen standing near the main entrance, waiting for updates on her condition.
Earlier in the day, BNP had issued a press statement in the morning, urging its members not to gather in front of Evercare so that the treatment of Khaleda and other patients would not be disrupted.
Despite the appeal, leaders and supporters from different parts of the capital continued arriving throughout the afternoon to enquire about the BNP chairperson’s health. Many of them stayed outside for hours, hoping for any information from party insiders or hospital staff.
Convener of Dhaka North City unit BNP, Aminul Haque today urged party leaders and activists not to gather at the entrance of Evercare Hospital, where BNP Chairperson and former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia is receiving treatment.
Addressing the crowd this afternoon via a loudspeaker outside the hospital, he said, “For our beloved leader, please pray for her speedy recovery from your homes or at mosques and madrassas, so that she may return to us soon.”
He noted that BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman has prohibited any form of gathering at the hospital.
Aminul Haque also confirmed that Khaleda Zia’s condition has improved, saying, “Alhamdulillah, she is much better than before. I am only requesting one thing from all of you – please go and pray.”
He appealed to supporters to consider other patients, adding, “Please cooperate to ensure easy access for the relatives of other patients. The crowd is obstructing their movement and causing inconvenience.”
Khaleda Zia is currently being treated in the hospital’s coronary care unit (CCU) for heart and lung infections, including pneumonia. A medical team comprising both local and foreign specialists is supervising her treatment.
