Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia has been placed on elective ventilator support after her health condition worsened significantly, according to a statement from her medical board led by Professor Dr. Shahabuddin Talukder. The 79-year-old leader, who has long suffered from multiple chronic ailments including liver, kidney, and heart diseases, was admitted to Evercare Hospital on November 23 following severe respiratory distress and weakness.

The medical board reported that despite intensive treatment with high-flow oxygen and BiPAP support, her oxygen levels continued to drop, prompting the decision to initiate ventilator support to allow her lungs and other organs to rest. She is also being treated for acute pancreatitis, kidney failure requiring dialysis, and severe bacterial and fungal infections. Doctors have identified infective endocarditis through echocardiography and are administering targeted therapy.

The board urged the public to avoid speculation and respect the patient’s privacy, while family members requested prayers for Khaleda Zia’s recovery. Her condition remains critical under continuous observation.