At 7:07pm, Yunus reached the hospital where Khaleda’s personal physician, AZM Zahid Hossain, and her medical board chief, Prof Md Shahabuddin Talukder, received the chief adviser, said BNP Media Cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan.

Security was tightened around the hospital ahead of the chief adviser’s arrival, with members of the Special Security Force (SSF), President Guard Regiment (PGR), Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), police and other law enforcement agencies deployed.

Khaleda, 80, was admitted to Evercare Hospital on 23 November following the advice of her medical board after being diagnosed with infections in her heart and lungs.

She has since also developed pneumonia and is currently being treated in the Coronary Care Unit (CCU) under the close supervision of a combined team of local and foreign specialists.

The BNP chief has been suffering from a range of chronic health complications, including cardiovascular disease, liver and kidney disorders, diabetes, lung ailments, arthritis and various ophthalmic conditions. She has a permanent pacemaker and previously underwent stenting due to cardiac complications.

On Wednesday morning, UK physician Richard Beale reached Evercare Hospital to assist with the treatment of the BNP chairperson, while a team of Chinese specialists is expected to arrive today.

On Tuesday night, Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral M Nazmul Hassan, and Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan paid a visit to the former prime minister at the hospital.

Earlier, the government declared Khaleda Zia a “Very Very Important Person” (VVIP) and assigned the Special Security Force for her protection. A notification in this regard was issued on Monday night.