BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia's physical condition has improved since her return home after a 156-day stay in the hospital.
She arrived at her residence, Firoza, in Gulshan on the evening of January 11, where she continues to receive medical care based on doctors' recommendations.
The former prime minister has not exhibited any new symptoms of her illness, and sources close to her medical team have disclosed that her overall health is now better than before. She has been seen taking regular small walks inside her residence on the advice of her doctors.
Khaleda Zia, under the care of three specialist doctors from Johns Hopkins Hospital in the US since October 26 of last year, began to show signs of improvement.
Khaleda Zia has been displaying a joyful demeanour since her hospital release, bringing relief and happiness to both leaders and activists who had not seen her in such good spirits for a prolonged period.
Numerous sources said that Khaleda Zia appeared cheerful on her return home, warmly embracing her nephew Abhik Iskandar's daughter as soon as she stepped out of the car.
As most of her family members are out of the country, Khaleda Zia’s brother Shamim Iskandar has been taking care of her.
The encouraging updates on her health have brought a sense of optimism to those following her recovery journey.
Quoting the doctor, media wing member of BNP chairperson Shayrul Kabir Khan said: “Alhamdulillah, madam's physical condition is a little better. No new symptoms have appeared since returning home.”
When contacted, none of the doctors looking after Khaleda Zia agreed to provide a statement on her health condition. Her personal physician Dr AZM Zahid Hossain was also unreachable despite repeated attempts.
Later, Khaleda Zia's private assistant Abdus Sattar said: "Madam’s (Khaleda Zia) overall health condition is not great. She is still at risk. She can eat and drink a bit.”
Earlier, Khaleda Zia returned home on November 7, 2021, after being admitted to Evercare Hospital in the capital on October 12, 2021. Then her physical condition improved somewhat. After six days, she had to return to the hospital on November 13. Since then, Khaleda Zia has been admitted there a few times.
Since Khaleda Zia went to jail on February 8, 2018, where her health continued to worsen. She was treated at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) hospital for a long time while in prison. On March 25, 2020, Khaleda Zia returned home after being released on condition by the ruling Awami League government's executive order amid Covid-19.
On April 11, 2021, Khaleda Zia tested positive for coronavirus. On the night of April 27, she was admitted to Evercare Hospital in the Bashundhara area of the capital. On April 28, a 10-member medical board was formed for the BNP chief's treatment. Then on the night of June 19 of that year, Begum Zia returned to Gulshan's residence Firoza.
On July 19, 2021, the BNP chief took the first dose of the coronavirus vaccine at the Sheikh Russel National Gastroliver Institute and Hospital in Mohakhali. She was given the second dose of the vaccine on August 18.
Khaleda Zia was again admitted to Evercare Hospital on October 12, 2021, due to physical illness. She became physically weak. A biopsy of the tissue taken from her body was done on October 25. The medical board received the biopsy report on October 31. After receiving treatment for 27 days, Khaleda Zia returned home on the evening of November 7, 2021.
Khaleda Zia had to be admitted to Evercare in the third phase on November 13, 2022, that night she was taken to the CCU. According to doctors, Begum Zia's physical condition worsened at this stage. To inform about this situation, six doctors of Khaleda Zia held a joint press conference on November 28 and informed of her situation. For the first time, the doctors revealed that the former prime minister was suffering from liver cirrhosis. One of his doctors, Professor Dr AZM Zahid Hossain. said that at least 17-23 doctors from Bangladesh, the United States and the United Kingdom were working on Begum Zia's medical team.
Almost two years after going to jail on February 8, 2018, Khaleda Zia was released on conditional release for six months on March 25, 2020, due to her family's plea during the spread of the coronavirus all over the world, including Bangladesh. After that, every six months the government has been extending the period of her release because of the application. The government last issued a renewal notification in September last year, which expires next March.