Dhaka, July 18 (UNB)

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has got an SMS to receive the first dose of Covid vaccine as she got registered online through a government-approved app, ‘Surokkha’, 10 days back.

“Madam got an SMS as a formality to have the first dose of the Covid vaccine,” said her medical team member and BNP vice-chairman Dr AZM Zahid Hossain told UNB on Sunday.

He said the BNP chief is likely to get vaccinated any day before Eid-ul-Azha.

Replying to a question, he said Khaleda will go to Sheikh Russel Gastro Liver Institute and Hospital in the city’s Mohakhali to receive the vaccine maintaining health safety rules.

On July 8, the BNP chairperson got registered for the vaccine.

During the registration, Zahid said, the BNP chairperson mentioned the National Gastroliver Institute and Hospital as the centre for having the vaccine.

On April 11, the 76-year-old BNP chief tested positive for Covid-19 and she was admitted to Evercare Hospital on April 27.

A 10-member medical board, headed by Prof Shahabuddin Talukder, was formed for the treatment of Khaleda at the Evercare Hospital a day after her admission there.

She tested negative for Covid-19 on May 8, 27 days after she had been infected with the deadly virus.

On June 19, Khaleda Zia got back home from the hospital after 53 days of treatment for Covid infections and other physical complications.

Amid the coronavirus outbreak, the government temporarily freed Khaleda Zia from jail through an executive order suspending her sentences on March 25 last year.