Zubaida at Khaleda's bedside at Evercare Hospital

She arrived at the hospital in the afternoon from her parents’ home in Dhanmondi

Zubaida Rahman, the daughter-in-law of BNP chief Khaleda Zia, has visited the former prime minister at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka, where she has been receiving critical care for more than two weeks.

Zubaida arrived at the hospital on Saturday afternoon after leaving her parents’ home in Dhanmondi, according to Atiqur Rahman Rumon, a BNP media cell official.

“[She] reached Evercare Hospital at 3:38pm. She is by the bedside of the party chairperson in the CCU," he said.

Zubaida, the wife of BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, flew into Dhaka from London on Friday with the intention of accompanying her mother-in-law abroad for advanced medical care.

Zubaida, a physician by training, is herself a member of the medical board. While she had previously joined consultations virtually, she attended in person after arriving in the country.

Party officials said she has been monitoring Khaleda's condition “constantly”, even when away from the hospital.

KHALEDA'S CONDITION 'UNCHANGED'

Doctors say the 79-year-old former prime minister's condition remains “largely unchanged”, and she has not yet been deemed fit to fly.

“Several parameters are showing positive signs, but it can't be said that her condition has improved,” one member of the medical board told bdnews24.com. “If these positive indicators continue, she may be fit to fly by the 9th or 10th of December.”

A senior BNP leader had earlier said that the board had approved her transfer abroad on Thursday, but her condition reportedly worsened slightly later that night.

Doctors say several tests have been conducted over the past two days and the board is reviewing the results in daily meetings.

BNP officials said a specialised air ambulance arranged by Qatar will land in Dhaka only once her doctors issue a green signal for her travel.

Enamul Haque Chowdhury, an advisor to Khaleda who is handling the coordination, said Qatar was “fully prepared” to send the aircraft.

“The air ambulance will come to Dhaka as soon as the medical board approves. It will then take [Khaleda] to London. All arrangements have been made by the Qatari authorities.”

Khaleda has been hospitalised since Nov 23. A medical board led by Prof Shahabuddin Talukder is supervising her treatment.

The BNP chief has long suffered from arthritis and diabetes, as well as complex problems involving her kidneys, liver, lungs, heart and eyes.