Air ambulance ‘technical issue’ delays Khaleda’s London travel

Zubaida Rahman, wife of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s son Tarique Rahman, left London for Dhaka on Thursday evening to accompany her ailing mother-in-law back to the UK, according to sources at the party’s London unit.

She boarded a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight (BG-202) that departed Heathrow Airport around 6:30pm (local time) though it was scheduled to leave at 6pm, according to sources at Biman Bangladesh Airlines.

Her daughter, Barrister Zaima Rahman, saw her off at the airport.

The Biman sources added that if everything goes smoothly, the flight via Sylhet could land in Dhaka at 10am local time.

Upon her arrival here, Zubaida will travel back to London on a special air ambulance equipped with advanced medical facilities, arranged by the emir of Qatar for carrying Khaleda Zia and her companions.

Zubaida, who is also a member of the medical board formed for the former prime minister’s treatment, has been monitoring her health condition continuously through virtual consultations.

BNP sources said Tarique and Zubaida have completed all arrangements for Khaleda’s treatment at London Bridge Hospital in the UK.

The special air ambulance, which was expected to reach Dhaka on Thursday night, has been delayed due to a “technical issue”, raising the possibility that ailing BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia could be flown to London on Friday morning.

The Qatari emir has earmarked the aircraft for transporting the three-time former prime minister from Dhaka to facilitate her advanced medical treatment.

BNP Media Cell Member Sayrul Kabir Khan said the air ambulance has malfunctioned. In case the aircraft remains inoperable for longer than expected, Qatari authorities are considering alternative arrangements to fly Khaleda to London, BNP sources told the media. 

Khaleda – currently undergoing intensive treatment at Evercare Hospital – was scheduled to leave the country for London after midnight or at dawn on Friday. Now, due to the technical glitch, the former prime minister's travel could be pushed back to 10am on Friday, reports claimed, citing BNP sources.

A temporary helipad has been set up in the capital's Bashundhara Residential Area to facilitate emergency air transport for BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, who is currently receiving treatment at Evercare Hospital in a critical condition.

An Army helicopter conducted a test landing and take-off at the site, carrying out multiple flights shortly after 1pm on Thursday.

A team of 17 individuals will accompany Khaleda Zia on a Qatari air ambulance to London, said a BNP press release.

The team would include Khaleda’s daughter-in-law Syeda Shameela Rahman, eight skilled doctors, and two Special Security Force (SSF) personnel, among others, said the press release signed by BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.

Among the doctors would be British physician Richard John Beale and Khaleda's personal doctor Dr AZM Zahid Hossain. Zubaida is also expected to join Khaleda during her travel to London following her return to the country, but her name was yet to be included in BNP's official list.

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman's Adviser Mahdi Amin said on a facebook post that if the flight can be secured on time, Khaleda's air ambulance would depart for London before Zubaida can land in Dhaka.

Dr Zubaida Rahman, sister-in-law of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, is set to depart from London and reach Dhaka on Friday to take the party chief to UK for advanced treatment.

Zubaida, also wife of BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, would take her mother-in-law to the London Bridge Hospital, according to a post published on BNP’s official facebook page.

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia will depart for London after midnight or tomorrow morning by an air ambulance for advanced treatment, said her personal physician and BNP Standing Committee member Dr AZM Zahid Hossain.

He was speaking to reporters at a press briefing in front of Evercare Hospital around 2:45pm today.

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia is set to be transferred to London Bridge Hospital in the United Kingdom for advanced medical care, party sources confirmed on Thursday.

Khaleda Zia, who has been undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka with multiple critical health complications including lung infection, cardiac issues, and kidney problems, was recently placed on ventilation support after her condition deteriorated.

Qatar is prepared to send an air ambulance to take BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia abroad for medical treatment.

The information was confirmed on Thursday (4 November) by the Qatar Embassy in Dhaka.

Meanwhile, specialist medical teams from the United Kingdom and China have joined in providing treatment for the BNP chairperson.

Zubaida Rahman, wife of BNP’s Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, is set to depart from London for Dhaka. After arriving in Bangladesh, Zubaida will assess Khaleda Zia’s physical condition and then make the journey to London with her.