Dhaka: Former Bangladesh prime minister Khaleda Zia’s health condition deteriorated on Thursday night and she was placed on ventilator support, doctors said.
“Her breathing difficulties increased, her oxygen level fell, and carbon dioxide levels rose,” according to a statement by the chief of the medical board cardiologist Shahabuddin Talukdar.
It said the 80-year-old former premier was previously being treated with “High Flow Nasal Cannula and BiPAP support, but as there was no improvement, she was placed on elective ventilator support to give rest to her lungs and other vital organs.”
According to the medical board, Zia had initially been treated with High Flow Nasal Cannula and BiPAP support, but her condition failed to stabilise. “As there was no improvement, she was placed on elective ventilator support to give rest to her lungs and other vital organs,” the board said.
Doctors noted that several of her major organs remain under “severe stress,” and that she is being monitored round-the-clock by a team of local and foreign specialists. The board added that her kidney function “has stopped completely,” requiring regular dialysis and blood transfusions to maintain stability.
This is the first time Zia’s medical board has formally spoken about the decline in her health, offering a clearer picture than the brief updates earlier shared by her personal physician and BNP leader AZM Zahid Hossain.
The statement said doctors detected abnormalities in her aortic valve after she developed persistent fever. “As her fever persisted and echocardiography showed issues in the aortic valve, a Transoesophageal Echocardiogram (TEE) was performed. It confirmed infective endocarditis, a serious infection of the heart valve. Treatment for this has been started according to international guidelines,” the board said.
Further complications were identified on 27 November, when doctors diagnosed “acute pancreatitis” while she was being administered high-grade antibiotic and antifungal medication for severe infections. Her condition has since required intensive intervention and continuous medical supervision.
In its statement, the medical board urged the public not to spread speculation or misinformation about the former premier’s condition and to respect her dignity during treatment. “Our medical team is working with the highest level of care, attention and sincerity,” it said.
Zia was admitted to Evercare Hospital after developing a severe chest infection affecting both her heart and lungs. She was moved to the coronary care unit (CCU) on 27 November after her health worsened.
