TMSS, a prominent non-governmental organisation dedicated to healthcare, education, and women’s empowerment, has officially inaugurated a specialised Thalassemia Clinic to provide advanced medical services to the people of northern Bangladesh. The facility is located on the 11th floor of the TMSS Cancer Centre in Thengamara, Bogra.
The inauguration took place on Saturday, 9 May, accompanied by a formal discussion meeting, a rally, and a day-long public awareness campaign. This initiative marks a significant expansion of the organisation’s specialised medical portfolio, aimed at addressing hereditary blood disorders prevalent in the region.
Clinical Services and Preventive Objectives
Dr Khaja Amirul Islam, Assistant Professor and Head of the TMSS Haematology and BMT Centre, categorised thalassemia as a hereditary blood disorder. He noted that a lack of public awareness and the absence of timely diagnostic testing contribute to a significant number of new cases in the country annually. Dr Islam emphasised that the disease can be managed and its incidence reduced through pre-marital screening, increased public education, and consistent medical treatment.
The clinic’s primary objective is to make comprehensive care accessible to the general public. According to Rtn. Dr Md. Matiur Rahman, Deputy Executive Director of TMSS, the facility will initially offer essential diagnostic and supportive services, with plans to integrate more advanced medical technologies and testing facilities in the future.
Table: Core Services Available at the TMSS Thalassemia Clinic
| Service Category | Description of Provision |
| Diagnostics | Blood group determination and thalassemia screening. |
| Consultation | Specialist medical advice and regular patient follow-ups. |
| Supportive Care | Professional counselling for patients and their families. |
| Psychological Aid | Mental health support for those affected by chronic illness. |
| Awareness | Educational programmes to promote preventive measures. |
Institutional Capacity and Infrastructure
The establishment of this clinic is part of a broader healthcare ecosystem managed by TMSS in Northern Bangladesh. The organisation currently operates several large-scale medical facilities that provide a backbone for regional health security.
The infrastructure supporting these services includes:
TMSS Medical College & Rafatullah Community Hospital: A 1,000-bed general and teaching hospital.
TMSS Heart Centre: A 250-bed specialised facility for cardiovascular diseases.
TMSS Cancer Hospital: A 250-bed facility dedicated to oncology.
Oxygen Self-Sufficiency: Three medical oxygen plants have been installed within the hospital premises, capable of producing 109,000 litres of oxygen per hour.
Event Attendance
The inauguration ceremony was attended by a distinguished assembly of academics, medical professionals, and social workers. Key figures included Aisha Begum, Advisor to the TMSS Board of Directors; Gautam Kumar, Executive Officer; and Professor Dr Md. Zakir Hossain, Principal of TMSS Medical College.
Representatives from prominent educational institutions were also present, including Professor Md. Shamsul Alam Pasha, Vice-Principal of Bogra Government Azizul Haque College; Professor Md. Abdus Sabur Khandaker, Vice-Principal of Government Mujibur Rahman Bhandari Women’s College; and Asit Kumar Sarkar, Principal of Karatoa Multimedia School and College. Their presence underscored the collaborative effort required between health and educational sectors to combat hereditary diseases through informed public discourse.