BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has said that he is hopeful about the government making a positive announcement on Khaleda Zia's treatment abroad on Sunday.
The preparation for the BNP chief to go abroad depends on what kind of permission comes from the government. However, as soon as they have the permission they will not delay, Fakhrul said during a virtual press conference around 12:30pm.
Earlier in the day, the Law Ministry's opinion on allowing former prime minister Khaleda to go abroad was sent to the Home Ministry.
Last Wednesday, Khaleda’s younger brother Shamim Iskander had met Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan at his Dhanmondi residence and submitted an application seeking permission to send her abroad for advanced treatment.
“It is still not decided which country she will be taken for treatment as the party and her family members await the government’s decision.
"Due to her age, long imprisonment, lack of treatment and Covid-19, she is currently in dire need of advanced treatment. That is our main priority now,” Fakhrul said on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Khaleda has tested negative for Covid-19, 27 days after she contracted the deadly virus.
Her health is now showing progress and the complications are gradually decreasing. However, she is not out of risk as post-Covid effect can damage other organs.
Also read - Law Ministry’s opinion on taking Khaleda abroad sent to Home Ministry
The BNP chief underwent the Covid-19 test on Saturday and her report came back negative, her medical board member Dr AZM Zahid Hossain told UNB early Sunday.
Another physician of her medical board said she was still on oxygen support even though her overall condition marked a little improvement. Her oxygen level goes down to 90% without support.
The physician, wishing anonymity, said though the amount of fluid in her lungs has decreased, it’s still being extracted from her lungs. "This is now a matter of concern."
The 76-year-old BNP chief, who tested positive for Covid-19 for the second time on April 24, was admitted to Evercare Hospital on April 27 for a thorough health checkup.
She was shifted on Monday to the hospital's Coronary Care Unit with shortness of breath.
She tested positive for Covid-19 for the first time on April 11 along with eight other people at her residence.
On March 25 last year, amid the Covid-19 outbreak, the government had freed Khaleda from jail for six months through an executive order suspending her sentences. Later, the suspension was extended.