Bangladesh Elevates ‘VVVIP’ Security as Khaleda Zia Battles for Life in Dhaka Hospital

Security at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka has been elevated to an unprecedented level after the interim government officially designated former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia a “very very important person,” triggering the immediate deployment of the elite Special Security Force alongside regular police units. Barricades were erected at the main entrance at 2 a.m., and more than two dozen armed personnel now control every access point, with surrounding cabins on the fourth floor vacated to create a sterile security cordon around the critically ill leader.

The 80-year-old Bangladesh Nationalist Party chairperson, who has served as prime minister three times, was rushed to the hospital on November 23 after severe infections attacked her heart and lungs. Her condition worsened dramatically within days; she was shifted to the coronary care unit on November 27 and placed on full ventilator support late Sunday night as multiple organs began showing signs of distress, leaving her medical team with few options beyond aggressive life-support measures.

In a rare move reflecting the gravity of the crisis, a five-member high-level medical delegation from China landed in Dhaka on Monday evening and entered the hospital after midnight to join the local medical board headed by cardiologist Dr Shahabuddin Talukder. The Chinese specialists held extended consultations and reviewed Zia’s latest scans, while hospital authorities confirmed a second, even larger team of experts from Beijing is en route and expected to arrive Tuesday afternoon to further reinforce treatment strategy.

Also Read: 7 Explosions in 24 Hours Shake Balochistan, Triggering Widespread Fear and Security Concerns

Dr Talukder told reporters that Zia remains in an extremely critical state and is currently not stable enough to be airlifted abroad for advanced care, making the immediate presence of international specialists essential. Special Security Force personnel conducted a meticulous three-hour sweep of the entire building overnight, inspecting corridors, stairwells, and service areas to eliminate any potential vulnerability in what has effectively become a fortified medical zone.

Across Bangladesh, mosques, temples, and community centres are holding continuous prayers for Zia’s recovery, while BNP leaders disclosed that her son and the party’s acting chairman, Tarique Rahman—living in self-exile in London since 2008—has decided to return home imminently. As the nation holds its breath, the convergence of top Chinese medical expertise and state-level security underscores both the severity of Khaleda Zia’s condition and her enduring political significance.

Also Read: Manipur IDPs Clash With Security Forces in Imphal East Demanding Return to Homes