A Nation Holds Its Breath: UK Medical Team Rushes to Bangladesh as Khaleda Zia's Health Deters

Back in the spring of 2015, Bangladesh found itself caught in a truly tense moment, a blend of high-stakes politics and a very personal health crisis. At the heart of it all was Khaleda Zia, the former Prime Minister and leader of the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). Her health, quite frankly, had taken a dramatic turn for the worse, prompting an urgent international response.

The news then was that a highly anticipated medical team, consisting of three specialists from the United Kingdom, was on its way to Dhaka. Their mission? To provide critical care to Zia, who, at the time, had been virtually confined to her Gulshan office since early January. It was a situation fraught with worry, especially for her party faithful, as reports painted a grim picture of her deteriorating condition.

Imagine the concern: news outlets were detailing a rapid decline, citing severe symptoms like plummeting blood pressure, persistent vomiting, a nagging fever, and troubling stomach issues. Her personal physicians, who were tirelessly attending to her on-site, were certainly doing their best under difficult circumstances. Yet, the gravity of her illness seemed to demand a level of expertise that was being sought from abroad.

Interestingly, despite the government's offer of treatment at the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) or the Combined Military Hospital (CMH), Zia had firmly declined. She reportedly preferred receiving care either at the privately run United Hospital or from a team of medical professionals of her own choosing. This refusal, perhaps a testament to the deep-seated mistrust prevalent in the political climate, added another layer of complexity to an already delicate situation.

Maruf Kamal Khan Sohel, Zia's press secretary, confirmed the impending arrival of the UK team, even providing names and specializations: Dr. Mahmood, a cardiology consultant; Dr. Syed Iftekhar, an internal medicine consultant; and Dr. Anthony, an expert in anesthesia and pain management. Their collective expertise underscored the multi-faceted nature of Zia's health complaints.

This medical emergency, of course, didn't unfold in a vacuum. It was inextricably linked to a much larger political struggle that had gripped the nation. The BNP, Zia's party, was deeply embroiled in a political deadlock, marked by a series of nationwide hartals – general strikes – designed to press their demands. Indeed, just days before the medical team's expected arrival, the party had extended an already impactful 72-hour strike, announcing a fresh 48-hour hartal for March 29-30. The streets were quiet, businesses shut; the nation felt the strain.

Adding to the legal complexities, Zia's lawyers had, at the same time, approached the Supreme Court seeking anticipatory bail in connection with two particular cases. It was a stark reminder that even amidst a health crisis, the wheels of justice, or perhaps, political maneuvering, continued to turn. The entire episode served as a poignant snapshot of a nation grappling with both a leader's critical health and the lingering shadows of a profound political impasse.