Rajshahi medical college hospital: Rajshahi Medical College Hospital (RMCH) has received a significant donation of injections valued at approximately Taka 36.10 crore from the American charity organization Direct Relief. These injections, each costing around Taka four lakh, are intended for patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, with the potential to significantly improve their condition.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the donation will also benefit patients with psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and juvenile idiopathic arthritis. This follows an earlier historic donation in August when RMCH received Alteplase, a critical medication for stroke and heart attack patients, valued at approximately Tk 17 crore.
The Alteplase donation, which includes 2,500 vials, will provide free treatment for around 500 patients, marking a significant advancement in local patient care. Alteplase is a potent drug that can dissolve dangerous blood clots in the brain and heart, with each course costing Tk 65,000-70,000. This donation makes the life-saving medicine accessible to patients in Rajshahi free of charge.
The milestone was achieved through international research connections developed by intern doctor Shirsho Shreyan. His academic work and global affiliations facilitated the donation. Dr. Shreyan's involvement in medical research began years earlier, focusing on global telestroke services and culminating in influential papers published in the International Journal of Stroke.
Dr. Shreyan's engagement with the Angels Initiative, a global stroke awareness network, established connections with Direct Relief, a US-based non-profit providing medicines to low-resource countries. When Gordon Wilcock, Direct Relief's Asia Pacific director, reached out to the hospital, Dr. Shreyan informed Prof Azizul Haque Azad and Prof Parvez Amin to explore the donation's feasibility.
Despite receiving approval from hospital authorities, a key challenge remained: the time-sensitive nature of stroke treatment. Alteplase is most effective if administered within 4.5 hours of symptom onset, but patients in Rajshahi often arrive 12-24 hours after symptoms begin. To maximize the drug's impact, senior doctors at RMCH decided to use Alteplase for heart attack patients as well, effectively dissolving blood clots in coronary arteries.
After meetings with Direct Relief, the approach was approved, with the condition that the medication be used before March 2026. Coordinating the transport of Alteplase, which requires strict temperature control, involved managing customs duties, transport costs, and ensuring continuous cold-chain monitoring.
The hospital team, in collaboration with Direct Relief, successfully overcame these challenges, ensuring the safe arrival and readiness of the medication. RMCH doctors have started administering the drug to suitable patients, with the donation expected to save lives and set a precedent for future contributions.