Khaleda Zia going through 'extremely critical time': Dr Zahid

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia is going through an "extremely critical time," her personal physician, Dr AZM Zahid Hossain, said early Tuesday.

"Time will tell how much of this crisis she will be able to overcome," Zahid told reporters during a briefing outside Evercare Hospital in Dhaka around 2:20am.

The former prime minister has been under treatment for the past 36 days since being admitted on 23 November with infections in her heart and lungs.

Zahid, also a BNP Standing Committee member, said Khaleda's treatment is being administered according to the recommendations of the medical board that's overseeing her.

He conveyed a message from Khaleda's family, requesting people across the country to pray for her recovery.

BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman stayed by his mother at the hospital for about four hours before leaving around 2:00am. 

Other family members, including Zubaida Rahman; Zaima Rahman; Khaleda's daughter-in-law Sharmila Rahman Sithi, and Sithi's daughter Zahia Rahman; Khaleda's elder sister Selina Islam; and Khaleda's younger brother Shamim Iskander, also visited yesterday.

Khaleda, 80, has long been battling multiple health complications, including liver cirrhosis, arthritis, diabetes, and chronic issues affecting her kidneys, lungs, heart, and eyes.

Her treatment is being overseen by a medical board led by cardiologist Prof Shahabuddin Talukder, with specialists from Bangladesh, the UK, the US, China, and Australia. 

Earlier this month, there was an initiative to take her abroad for treatment, but it could not proceed due to her fragile condition.