BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia returned home on Tuesday night after an 81-day stay in the capital's Evercare Hospital for the treatment of her various health complications, including liver cirrhosis.
“Doctors discharged madam (Khaleda) from the hospital in the evening due to the risk of Covid-19 infection,” her media wing member Sayrul Kabir Khan said.
He said Khaleda left the hospital at about 7:30pm and reached her Gulshan residence around 8:30 pm, reports UNB.
Earlier at a press conference, the medical board formed to ensure Khaleda’s treatment at the hospital said her condition is stable, but she is still at risk.
“She’s clinically stable, but not cured and free of disease… She's been discharged from the hospital as she’s vulnerable to Corona infection. We’re sending her home for now. If there’s any crisis after that, we’re ready to receive her again in the hospital,” said Dr Shahabuddin Talukder, the head of the medical board.
He said they ensured all the possible treatment for the BNP chief in consultation with the doctors of the hospital and the specialists of other hospitals. “We've talked to consultants abroad, including specialists from the UK, the USA and Australia. All have the same opinion that we’ve controlled the situation for the time being, but she needs to go overboard for her treatment."
Dr Talukder said the last treatment for Khaleda’s disease is for liver transplantation, but she is still not in that position.
Another member of the medical board, Dr F M Siddiqui, said internal bleeding of the BNP chief remains stopped, but she could not be given proper treatment for her illnesses.
“Her condition is now stable. We’re observing that coronavirus infections have reached alarming proportions throughout the country. More than 380 staff members of this hospital contracted corona and received various treatments in January alone. Under such a situation, the medical board has decided to release her and ensure her treatment at home under our care,” he said.
Siddiqui said the sources of bleeding in Khaleda Zia's digestive tract have been stopped. “She’s not now suffering from massive bleeding. But no one can guarantee that there’ll be no more massive bleeding.”
Khaleda, a 76-year-old former prime minister, has been receiving treatment at Evercare Hospital for various health complications since November 13.
Her medical board members said Khaleda immediately needs to go abroad for better treatment as she was diagnosed with liver cirrhosis.
On behalf of her family, Khaleda's younger brother, Shamim Iskander, submitted an application to the Home Ministry on November 11 urging the government to allow her to go abroad for better treatment.
The government still did not dispose of the application while the ministers are saying the BNP chief has no scope to go abroad until she files a fresh application returning to jail.