Dhaka: A total of 2,422 students underwent health screening during a three-day congenital heart disease detection and treatment programme in Rajshahi, where 56 children were diagnosed with congenital heart disease. The programme was organised by the National Heart Foundation, Rajshahi, with support from the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases and Hospital (NICVD) and China's Fuwai Yunnan Cardiovascular Hospital.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, a six-member medical team from China joined an eight-member team of paediatric cardiology specialists from NICVD to provide screening and treatment services. During the closing ceremony, Prof. Md. Habibur Rahman, Director (Finance and Administration) of the National Heart Foundation, Rajshahi, highlighted that 3,420 students, aged between three and 18 years from 46 educational institutions, had registered for the programme. Out of these, 2,422 students received health check-ups, resulting in 56 diagnoses of congenital heart disease.
Prof. Rahman mentioned that two of the diagnosed children underwent surgery free of charge, with medicines, hospital bed charges, and other medical services also provided at no cost. The estimated treatment cost for each patient is around Tk 250,000. Additionally, an initiative has been taken to send one child to China for advanced treatment.
Land Minister and Rajshahi Sadar MP Mizanur Rahman Minu addressed the closing ceremony as the chief guest, affirming the government's commitment to expanding quality healthcare services. He emphasized the significance of utilising China's advanced medical technology to ensure world-class treatment facilities in Rajshahi.
The programme was presided over by National Heart Foundation, Rajshahi President Md. Abdul Mannan. Notable attendees included Deputy Director of China's Fuwai Yunnan Cardiovascular Hospital Lu Jiang, Divisional Commissioner Dr. A.N.M. Bazlur Rashid, Rajshahi Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mohammad Foyzul Kabir, Deputy Commissioner Kazi Shahidul Islam, NICVD Head of Paediatric Cardiology Dr. Md. Ataul Haque, and Chief Consultant of National Heart Foundation Hospital and Research Institute Dr. Md. Rais Uddin.