The chiefs of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, along with the director general of the Special Security Force (SSF), paid separate visits to Evercare Hospital in the capital on Tuesday night to inquire about the health of former prime minister and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, who is currently receiving treatment there.
Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman arrived at around 9pm and left shortly afterwards. He was followed by Navy Chief Admiral Mohammad Nazmul Hassan, who also stayed briefly. Air Force Chief Air Vice Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan was the last to visit.
Their visits were later confirmed in a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
Major General Mahbubus Samad Chowdhury, director general of SSF, also visited the hospital to check on the BNP chairperson.
Khaleda Zia has been hospitalised in recent days with a number of age-related complications. BNP leaders earlier said her condition had become “critically serious”.
She was admitted to Evercare Hospital on 23 November after experiencing sudden breathing difficulties.
On 1 December, the Chief Adviser’s Office issued a gazette notification declaring Khaleda Zia a Very Very Important Person (VVIP) under Section 2(a) of the Special Security Force Act 2021, with immediate effect.
Khaleda Zia’s condition reportedly deteriorated further on Sunday night, prompting her transfer to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), where she was placed on ventilation support.
She is now being treated in the Coronary Care Unit (CCU) under the supervision of a medical board comprising both local and overseas specialists.
Providing an update to reporters on Tuesday afternoon, her personal physician and BNP Standing Committee member Zahid Hossain said the former prime minister had been receiving treatment in the CCU since 27 November and was able to respond to the care being provided.
The 80-year-old leader has long suffered from multiple chronic health conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, liver cirrhosis and kidney complications.
