A hospital Eid for Khaleda, Raushon

Ailing leading ladies of Bangladesh’s political arena -- BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and Opposition Leader in Parliament Raushon Ershad -- are spending their Eid-ul-Fitr holidays in hospital beds with doctors and nurses, instead of their families.

Both of them, suffering from various complications, are currently undergoing treatment at different hospitals in Dhaka.

This, along with the Covid-19 pandemic, has forced BNP and Jatiya Party (JaPa) – two of the country’s major political parties – to cancel all meet and greet programs on Eid day.

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Khaleda has been receiving treatment at Dhaka’s Evercare Hospital since April 27 after testing positive for Covid-19.

Although she tested negative recently, the former prime minister was moved to the hospital’s Coronary Care Unit on May 3 for other health complications.

However, her brother Shamim Iskander and BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir were scheduled to meet her on Friday, reports Bangla Tribune.

On the other hand, Raushon Ershad was admitted to the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in Dhaka on April 29, after she fell ill due to dehydration and acidity problems.

Also Read - Raushan Ershad admitted to CMH

Before her admission, Raushon, the widow of late JaPa chief and former military ruler HM Ershad, had undergone a Covid-19 test and tested negative.

According to party sources, the senior vice chairman of JaPa is suffering from old age complications. But her condition is improving, they said, adding that she was not discharged from the hospital as she still needs medical attention. 

Sources said Rahgir Al Mahi alias Saad Ershad, eldest son of Ershad and Raushon, will visit the ailing 77-year-old at the hospital Friday.