Photo : BSS

RAJSHAHI, Nov 28, 2025 (BSS)- Rajshahi Medical College Hospital (RMCH) has received injections worth around Taka 36.10 crore as donations from American charity organization Direct Relief.

Each of the injections, costing around Taka four lakh, will be applied to the patients sufferings from rheumatoid arthritis and the patients will feel better for long.

Talking to BSS here today, Prof Azizul Haque Azad of the RMCH said many other patients suffering from psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis and juvenile idiopathic arthritis will also benefit from the injections.   

Earlier in August, the RMCH received a historic donation of Alteplase, a critical medication for stroke and heart attack patients, valued at approximately Tk 17 crore.

The donation, comprising 2,500 vials, will allow free treatment for around 500 patients, a significant step forward in local patient care. 

Alteplase is a potent drug capable of dissolving dangerous blood clots in both the brain and heart. Each course costs Tk 65,000-70,000, putting it out of reach for many. With this donation, patients in Rajshahi can now access life-saving medicine free of charge.

The milestone was made possible through international research connections developed by intern doctor Shirsho Shreyan, whose academic work and global affiliations eventually facilitated the donation. 

Dr Shreyan's journey began years earlier, guided by a focus on medical research. As part of the World Stroke Organization's Future Stroke Leaders Cohort, he conducted studies on global telestroke services, allowing neurologists from major hospitals to advise smaller facilities lacking specialists.
 
His research culminated in two influential papers, one published in the International Journal of Stroke and recognised as "Paper of the Month," bringing international visibility.
 
Through this academic engagement and his involvement with the Angels Initiative, a global stroke awareness network, connections were established with Direct Relief, a US-based non-profit that provides 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 of Medicine and Prof Parvez Amin of Neurology to explore the feasibility of the donation. 
 
"When I read the email about their interest in donating this costly medicine, I felt an overwhelming sense of joy, knowing that my research is not only gaining international recognition but also directly saving lives at my own institution," said Dr Shreyan.
 
However, even after receiving a green signal from the hospital authorities, key challenge remaining was the time-sensitive nature of stroke treatment. Alteplase is most effective if administered within 4.5 hours of symptom onset, whereas patients in Rajshahi often take 12-24 hours to reach the hospital. 
 
To maximise the drug's impact, senior doctors at the RMCH decided that Alteplase could also be used for heart attack patients, where it effectively dissolves blood clots in the coronary arteries. 
 
After a series of meetings with Direct Relief, the approach was approved by the organisation, with the stipulation that the medication must be used before March 2026.
 
As Alteplase requires strict temperature control (2-8øC), coordinating its transport from abroad to Rajshahi involves an overwhelming amount of customs duties, transport costs, and ensuring continuous cold-chain monitoring. 
 
The hospital team, together with Direct Relief, successfully managed the challenges, ensuring that the medication arrived safely and was ready for use.
 
Doctors at RMCH have now begun administering the drug to suitable patients. 
 
The donation, the largest ever received by the hospital, is expected to save lives and set a precedent for future contributions.