SSF personnel deployed at Evercare Hospital for Khaleda Zia's security

They said the chief advisor might come to visit her, BNP spokesman says

A security cordon has been established around Evercare Hospital in Dhaka after former prime minister and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia was declared a “Very Very Important Person” (VVIP) by the state.

Police erected a barricade at the entrance of the hospital on Tuesday morning. Vehicles belonging to the Special Security Force (SSF) entered the hospital gate around noon.

Shairul Kabir Khan, a member of the BNP media cell, told bdnews24.com: "The SSF members have taken charge of the hospital's security. They spoke with our Standing Committee member AZM Zahid Hossain. They said the chief advisor might come to visit her."

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Syeda Sharmila Rahman, the wife of Khaleda's late son Arafat Rahman Coco, and Prof Shahabuddin Talukder, the head of Khaleda's medical board, were at Evercare at the time.

The office of Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus, however, has yet to confirm whether he will go to the hospital or when he might visit.

Earlier in the morning, the interim government declared Khaleda a VVIP during an Advisory Council meeting at the State Guest House Jamuna, the chief advisor's official residence. The status transfers the security responsibility of the 79-year-old former prime minister to the SSF.

"Prayers were offered at the meeting for the speedy recovery of Khaleda, the three-time former prime minister and wife of the late president Ziaur Rahman," Planning Advisor Wahiduddin Mahmud said at a media briefing in front of Jamuna.

“Considering Khaleda Zia’s current physical condition, her treatment at the hospital, possible plans to take her abroad if necessary, her security, travel arrangements and her senior status, it has been decided to declare her a VVIP. All relevant agencies have been instructed to implement this immediately.”

He added that Khaleda’s family and party have been informed of the decision.

Khaleda was taken to Evercare Hospital on the night of Nov 23 for a health check-up, but she was admitted after a chest infection was detected.

When her physical condition deteriorated around 3:30am on Monday, she was put on “special care” at the hospital.

Her personal physician Zahid said an expert team from the UK is arriving on Wednesday for her treatment.

Stating that the US, China, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and India have already extended their medical assistance, he said: "As I have said before regarding taking Khaleda out of the country, the members of the medical board are examining her. Today, experts will also come from the UK to examine her.

"After seeing her, if she can be transferred and if we need to transfer her—the medical board thinks that only then can she be taken out of the country for treatment at the appropriate time."