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Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan on Thursday said only former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, as of now, is entitled to receive the prescribed facilities designated for a ‘very, very important person’ (VVIP) of the State.
The government has declared Khaleda Zia a VVIP and deployed members of the Special Security Force to ensure her safety, UNB reports.
“A notification in this regard has already been issued,” said Adviser Rizwana while responding to a question during a media briefing at the Foreign Service Academy.
There had been speculations over whether these facilities were also being extended to her family members.
Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam and Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder also spoke at the briefing, which highlighted the outcomes of the Council of Advisers’ meeting chaired by Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus.
Prof Yunus visited the Evercare Hospital in the city Wednesday evening (December 03, 2025) to see three-time former Prime Minister, former President’s wife and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia.
He spent around 30 minutes at the hospital after 7pm and enquired about her health condition.
Prof Yunus urged Khaleda Zia's family and party leaders and activists to be patient, and reiterated the government's assurance of all kinds of cooperation.
The Chief Adviser called on the people of the country to pray for Khaleda Zia's speedy recovery.
Khaleda Zia will be flown to London for advanced medical treatment, either at midnight on Thursday or Friday morning, her personal physician and party standing committee member AZM Zahid Hossain said on Thursday.
The decision was made unanimously by a medical board comprising local and foreign specialists, he told reporters at a press briefing in front of Evercare Hospital in Dhaka.
“She will be taken to London by a Qatar Royal air ambulance. We have selected a hospital in London for her treatment and, InshAllah, we will take her there,” he said.
He said several specialist doctors and two foreign physicians will accompany Khaleda Zia during her trip to the UK.
Regarding her current health condition, Zahid said every step has been taken strictly following the recommendations of the medical board. “They advised that sending her to London at this stage is the most appropriate. We hope she will recover and return to us,” he added.
Dr Zahid sought prayers from the nation for her quick recovery.
BNP sources said the Emir of Qatar has assured full cooperation in facilitating her transfer abroad.
All arrangements have been completed to bring an air ambulance from Qatar to take Khaleda Zia to London for better treatment, said BNP Chairperson’s Adviser Amanul Haq Chowdhury.
On January 8, Khaleda Zia travelled to London in a special air ambulance sent by the Emir of Qatar for advanced medical treatment and returned home on May 6by the air special ambulance.
The former prime minister has been undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital since November 23 after being admitted with multiple health complications. As her condition worsened, she was moved to the Coronary Care Unit on November 27, where she is still under close monitoring.
Doctors said Khaleda Zia is receiving intensive care for several complications related to her liver, kidneys and heart.
A medical board, led by Professor Shahabuddin Talukder, is supervising her treatment with support from specialist physicians.