Photo : BSS

RAJSHAHI, Aug 29, 2025 (BSS) - Rajshahi Medical College Hospital (RMCH) received alteplase, a revolutionary thrombolytic drug valued at nearly Tk 17 crore, as a donation from the Netherlands.

Primarily used to treat stroke and myocardial infarction (heart attacks), alteplase is usually prohibitively expensive, with a single vial costing around Tk 50,000, placing it out of reach for most Bangladeshi patients.

Thanks to the efforts of Dr. Shirsha Shreyan, an intern from RMCH's 61st batch, the drug will now be available to patients at RMCH completely free of charge. 

Dr. Shreyan collaborated with international organisations including the World Stroke Organization, Direct Relief and the Angel's Initiative to secure the crucial donation. 

His initiative was guided and supported by Professor Dr. Azizul Haque Azad, a renowned medicine specialist.

The donation provides a vital lifeline to underprivileged patients in Rajshahi who otherwise could not afford this costly treatment. 

Speaking to BSS, Dr. Shreyan said, "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, which makes it unaffordable for many. With this donation, patients in Rajshahi can now access this life-saving medicine free of charge."

To maximise its benefits, RMCH senior doctors decided that alteplase would also be administered to heart attack patients, where it effectively dissolves blood clots in the coronary arteries.

Alteplase requires strict temperature control (2-8øC), transporting it from abroad to Rajshahi involved complex coordination, including customs clearance, transport expenses and continuous cold-chain monitoring. 

The hospital team, in collaboration with Direct Relief, successfully managed these challenges, ensuring the medication arrived safely and ready for use.

Doctors at RMCH have now begun administering the drug to eligible patients. The donation, the largest ever received by the hospital, is expected to save numerous lives and set a precedent for future contributions.

Professor Azizul Haque Azad, Medicine Unit Chief at RMCH, confirmed the arrival of heart disease medicines through the initiative of Dr. Shreyan. 

The shipment reached Dhaka from the Netherlands on August 20 and was handed over to RMCH authorities on August 27.

On Thursday, 70 vials were delivered to the cardiology ward for preservation. 

"This morning, we administered the drug to two patients, and one of them has already shown improvement. Each patient requires four doses," said Dr. Abir Hossain, in charge of the cardiology unit.