Photo: BSS

RAJSHAHI, July 24, 2026 (BSS) - 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, organised by the National Heart Foundation, Rajshahi, was held from Wednesday to Friday with support from the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases and Hospital (NICVD) and China's Fuwai Yunnan Cardiovascular Hospital.

A six-member medical team from China joined an eight-member team of paediatric cardiology specialists from NICVD to provide screening and treatment services.

Speaking at the closing ceremony today, Prof. Md. Habibur Rahman, Director (Finance and Administration) of the National Heart Foundation, Rajshahi, said 3,420 students aged between three and 18 years from 46 educational institutions had registered for the programme.

Of them, 2,422 students received health check-ups, while 56 were diagnosed with congenital heart disease.

He said 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 treatment cost for each patient is estimated at around Tk 250,000. An initiative has also 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.

He said the government is committed to expanding quality healthcare services and stressed the importance 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.

Among others, 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 attended the programme.