BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia is expected to travel abroad for advanced medical treatment in mid-December. Her itinerary reportedly includes a visit to London, United Kingdom, followed by the United States, after performing the holy Umrah in Saudi Arabia. Preparations for this trip are already underway. As part of the process, she reportedly visited the U.S. Embassy in Dhaka yesterday to provide biometric fingerprints.

Medical board members overseeing Khaleda Zia’s treatment have stated that she may need to visit two or three countries for her care. Arrangements are being made accordingly, and she could depart on December 12 or 13, depending on the situation. Accompanying her on the trip will be 17 individuals, including her medical team. On the way to London, she is expected to perform Umrah in Saudi Arabia, marking her first pilgrimage since September 2016, when she last performed Hajj with her family. The Saudi government has extended a special invitation for her Umrah.

On Wednesday afternoon, Khaleda Zia traveled from her residence, “Firoza,” in Gulshan to the U.S. Embassy in a Pajero Jeep. She was welcomed by the embassy’s chargé d’affaires and other officials. Among those accompanying her were BNP Standing Committee member Professor AZM Zahid Hossain, Organizing Secretary Shama Obayed, her personal secretary ABM Abdus Sattar, and private physician Mohammad Mamun.

According to her doctors, Khaleda Zia is currently fit for air travel, although six doctors will accompany her to mitigate any potential health risks. While she has already secured a UK visa, the U.S. visa process is still ongoing.

Party insiders have also revealed that BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir is scheduled to leave for London this Saturday and return to Dhaka on December 11. Khaleda Zia’s departure for London will follow shortly thereafter.

The 79-year-old former Prime Minister is battling several serious health conditions, including liver cirrhosis, heart disease, lung complications, arthritis, kidney issues, and diabetes. She has previously required intensive care at Dhaka’s Evercare Hospital under the supervision of a team of specialist doctors.