UK doctor at Evercare Hospital to assess Khaleda’s treatment

UK physician Dr Richard Beale reached Evercare Hospital in Dhaka on Wednesday morning to assist in the treatment of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia.

Dr Richard landed in Dhaka around 9:30am. At 10:40am, he entered Evercare Hospital's Coronary Care Unit (CCU) on the fourth floor, where Khaleda has been receiving treatment.

Dr Richard is a professor of intensive care medicine at King's College London, and a consultant in intensive care medicine at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust.

A senior hospital source said the visiting physician will review her latest medical reports and consult the local medical board before giving their assessment on the next steps in her treatment.

Around 10:30am, Sharmila Rahman Sithi, wife of Khaleda Zia's late younger son Arafat Rahman Koko, also entered the CCU.

Meanwhile, the hospital officials said a specialist medical team from China is expected to arrive later this evening.

The BNP chief was admitted to Evercare on November 23 after being diagnosed with infections in her heart and lungs.

She is also suffering from pneumonia and is currently receiving treatment in the hospital's CCU.

The 80-year-old former prime minister has long been battling multiple health complications, including liver cirrhosis, arthritis, diabetes, and issues affecting her kidneys, lungs, heart, and eyes. She has a pacemaker and has previously undergone stent implants in her heart.