Few years ago, our friend Tarik, (Md. Tarikul Islam Chowdhury) a BUET graduate of Batch 88, went to Mount Elizabeth Hospital, Singapore for a brief checkup with seemingly minor heart issues and chronic gastritis. That intended brief checkup became an odyssey of hospital visits both in Singapore and Chennai with tens of medical procedures only to find out that his heart could not pump blood adequately due to unusually thick cardiac muscles with no conclusive diagnosis.
In December 2020, Tarik was seen by Dr. Lin Weiqin, Clinical Director of Heart Failure Program at National University Heart Center (NUHC), Singapore. After several medical procedures at NUHC, he was finally diagnosed with cardiac amyloidosis, a rare heart disease that is caused by a deposit of amyloid, an abnormal protein in the heart tissue. This disease drastically reduces patient’s life expectancy. Unfortunately, there is no specific treatment to take the amyloid out of the heart. However, there is one FDA approved preventive medicine by Pfizer which is proven to reduce the production of abnormal protein in the body or stabilize the protein so that it doesn’t deposit within the heart. This medicine, Tafamidis, is formidably expensive. Tarik was prescribed that medicine by Dr. Lin Weiqin. Thankfully, with the help and support from all of our friends, we not only shared his expenses for NUHC procedures but also provided him with three months’ supply of Tafamidis. Tarik’s heart condition was already severe by the time he was diagnosed. On December 10, 2021, Tarik passed away from heart failure.
Tarik was survived by his wife Ismat Jahan Nipa and only daughter Tasnia Isbat, who is a junior in Brac University, Dhaka. Over the last few years, Tarik exhausted his savings on pre-diagnosis trials and post-diagnosis treatment. He had to sell his only property in Dhaka as well.
Tarik was a complete gentleman with a very kind heart. Even during his very difficult time, he didn’t lose his smile and humor! This is a great loss not only for his family but also for us who loved him very dearly. Therefore, on memory of Tarik, we urge you to please come forward and help raising fund for Tarik’s family for one last time! Thank you!
Bank info:
Member Name: TASNIA ISBAT
Bank Name: BRAC Bank, Shaymoli Branch, Dhaka
Routing Number: 060264307
Account Number: 1514105051922001
Swift Code: BRAKBDDH
BUET BATCH’88
If you donate through your company to get the matching, please mention only “Tarik” in the comment section.
IF you have any question, please contact:
Ehsanul Karim Nazim: [email protected]
Nasirul Chowdhury Apu: [email protected]
