Khaleda Zia’s London Flight Delayed to Saturday Due to Air Ambulance Technical Glitch

The planned departure of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia for specialized treatment in London has been delayed. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir announced on Friday morning (December 5th) that the special air ambulance, provided by the Qatari Emir, could not reach Dhaka as scheduled on Friday due to a technical glitch.

If the technical issue is resolved, the air ambulance is expected to reach Dhaka on Saturday (December 6th). If her medical condition is deemed suitable for travel by the medical board, her journey to London is tentatively scheduled for Sunday (December 7th).

The decision to transfer Khaleda Zia abroad was made after a medical board, comprising local, UK, and Chinese specialist doctors, assessed her condition through multiple virtual and physical examinations.

The medical board advised moving her to London Bridge Hospital for treatment. London Bridge Hospital, located on the south bank of the River Thames, is one of the largest private hospitals in the UK and offers specialized care for cardiac, orthopedic, cancer, and neurological disorders.

Khaleda Zia will be transported via a Royal Air Ambulance. The journey will be overseen by several specialist doctors to ensure proper care during the flight, in addition to her personal physician, Dr. AZM Zahid Hossain.

A total of 14 people are expected to accompany her, including her daughter-in-law Syeda Shamila Rahman, multiple physicians, security personnel, and personal staff.

Khaleda Zia has been undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka for two weeks. Concern among BNP leaders and activists remains high, with a growing crowd gathering outside the hospital. Leaders from various political parties have also visited the hospital to inquire about her health.