Shirsho Shreya, who is currently doing his internship at Rajshahi Medical College (RMCH) Hospital, has managed to bring in medicine support worth Tk 17 crore from the World Stroke Organisation (WSO).
According to the hospital authorities, free distribution of medicines to patients began on Wednesday.
While praising Shirsho Shreyan, the authority also said that even as an intern doctor, Shirsho Shreyan is ahead of everyone in terms of initiative. No intern doctor has ever accomplished such a major task before. The medicines are now helping stroke and heart disease patients.
Through Shirsho's initiative, 2,500 vials of Alteplase arrived at RMCH from the international donor organisation on 25 August. This thrombolytic type of medicine dissolves blood clots in the vessels and restores normal circulation. It is generally used in cases of stroke and heart attack. The market price of each vial is about Tk 50,000. The 2,500 vials received free of cost are worth around Tk 17 crore.
How he came to donor's attention
The WSO works on stroke prevention, treatment, and research. Shirsho Shreyan worked as an assistant in one of their research projects from his fifth year of MBBS. His research paper, that got published at WSO, was recognised as the best research in October 2024, and he came to the attention of the international donor organisation Direct Relief.
In March this year, Gordon Wilcock, director of WSO's Asia-Pacific region, sent an email from Australia to Shirsho with a proposal. On behalf of the organisation, Wilcock said they wanted to supply Alteplase to RMCH. Then Shirsho Shreyan discussed the matter with Professor Dr Azizul Haque Azad of the Medicine Department at RMCH. Later, they held a virtual meeting with Wilcock.
Professor Dr. Azad informed the organisation that if permission were granted to use this medicine for stroke patients along with heart disease patients, it would be more beneficial. This is because, at RMCH, patients usually arrive late. The injection must be given to stroke patients within 4.5 hours, while it can be administered to heart patients up to 12.5 hours after the attack.
Gordon Wilcock agreed with his reasoning. Following regulations, an agreement was signed between Direct Relief and RMCH Hospital. After completing the procedures, the medicines arrived in Dhaka on August 20. Under the organisation's supervision, the medicines were delivered to Rajshahi in a frozen van on August 25.
Shirsho Shreyan, the pride
Shirs Shreyan's ancestral home is in Mymensingh, but he grew up in Savar. His father is a professor at Jahangirnagar University. In the 2019–20 academic session, Shirsho enrolled at Rajshahi Medical College. Having completed his MBBS last July, he is now doing his internship.
RMCH Principal Professor Faisal Alam said, "Teachers have often brought in funds from abroad. But to my knowledge, no student has ever done it before. Shirsho has made it happen. This is extraordinary. I am proud of him."
Shirsho's mentor, Professor Azizul Haque Azad, said, "We wanted to arrange thrombolytic medicine for the patients. Many cannot afford this expensive medicine. Now they are receiving it completely free of cost. We are truly proud of him."
Brigadier General Director of RMCH Hospital, F M Shamim Ahmad, said that the medicines have been distributed since Wednesday, and by Wednesday afternoon, 70 vials had been used.
He thanked Shirsho Shreyan for this achievement.
Meanwhile, Shirsho has urged heart and stroke patients to reach RMCH Hospital quickly.
He said, "If anyone experiences paralysis of the hands or feet, facial drooping, eyelid closure, or slurred speech, they must come to the hospital immediately. If they arrive on time, the thrombolytic medicine will be effective."
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