Former Bangladesh prime minister Khaleda Zia’s health has deteriorated since being admitted to a hospital, prompting her family and party members to urge citizens to pray for her speedy recovery.
Zia, 80, was admitted to a hospital on November 23 with symptoms of a lung infection and is currently undergoing treatment in the intensive care unit, members of her party said.
Mirza Fakhrul Alamgir, from Zia’s Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), told reporters late that “doctors have told us that her condition is very critical”.
Several senior BNP leaders and anxious supporters visited the hospital receive updates on her condition.
English-language newspaper, The Daily Star, said Zia has “heart problems, liver and kidney issues, diabetes, lung problems, arthritis and eye-related illnesses”.
She has a permanent pacemaker and previously underwent stenting for her heart, the publication reported.
Zia’s eldest son, Tarique Rahman, who is based in London since 2008, requested the people of Bangladesh to pray for his mother’s recovery in a post to social media.
“We express our heartfelt thanks and gratitude for all your prayers and love for the highly respected Begum Khaleda Zia,” Rahman, 60, said.
