Khandaker Moniruddin, managing director of Apollo Hospitals, inaugurated the stroke centre in the afternoon in presence of Richard Larison, chief executive officer, Praful Pawar, director of medical services, and Dr Alim Akhtar Bhuiyan, chief co-ordinator of Apollo Stroke Centre.

At a press conference at its auditorium, Apollo Hospitals officials said due to lack of a comprehensive stroke treatment centre, the mortality rate of the patient is high in the country.

With this world-class centre, stroke patients will now get required treatment, said the managing director.

Stroke is a brain disease, not heart disease. Diabetes, high blood pressure, smoking, obesity and sedentary lifestyle are mainly responsible for growing number of stoke patients in the country, said Dr Alim.

People after age 50 normally face the stroke disease, he added.

About treatment cost, Dr Alim said bed charges per day vary from Tk 1,500 to Tk 15,000 depending on additional facilities and other medical check-up cost.