Khaleda may be discharged from London clinic today

BNP Chairperson and former prime minister Khaleda Zia was likely to leave the London clinic, where she had been under medical observation for 17 days, for her son Tarique Rahman’s residence early today.

The BNP chairperson might be discharged from the hospital in the evening (London time), Khaleda’s personal physician Prof Dr AZM Zahid Hossain said while talking to reporters on Thursday.

“If everything goes well and the reports come in as expected… There is a possibility of madam (Khaleda) being discharged from the hospital. The doctors here are yet to provide a discharge clearance, as some additional tests are being conducted … she might be discharged in the evening,” he said.

Even after discharge, Zahid said, the BNP chief will remain under the care of Professors John Patrick Kennedy and Jennifer Cross as they are overseeing her treatment in consultation with her medical board.

“She (Khaleda) will be provided treatment following the UK’s medical protocols,” he said.

Khaleda was admitted to the London Clinic on January 8 right after she arrived in the UK aboard a special air ambulance sent by Qatar emir.  The 79-year-old BNP chief has been suffering from multiple health issues, including liver cirrhosis, kidney, heart, diabetes and arthritis-related complications.

Asked about her current health condition, Dr Zahid said the BNP chairperson is generally feeling much better now. However, no final decision has been made regarding her liver transplant.

He said it is important to consider her age and the severity of her liver disease, along with other health complications, before making such a major decision.

Dr Zahid said the doctors at the London Clinic and the experts from Johns Hopkins University are largely in agreement on continuing her treatment focusing on managing her various ailments with medication.

He said Khaleda and her family, including BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman, have requested the people of Bangladesh to pray for her speedy recovery.