Health and Family Welfare Minister ZahidMaleque on Monday said to ensure swift and standard treatment for cancer patients, present government is going to construct eight 100-seat cancer hospitals in eight divisional cities across the country. “I discussed the matter with Prime Minister already and it was also on the election manifesto of Awami League. Present government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is committed to ensure treatment for patients of cancer. Fifty-bed cancer hospital has been turned into 300-bed during the tenure of this government,” he said.
Zahid Maleque said these at a discussion organized by National Cancer Research Institute and Hospital (NICRH) in capital’s Mohakhali area marking World Cancer Day 2019.
The minister further said modern machineries are being collected in health sector and new doctors and nurses have been recruited. Chaired by Director of National Cancer Research Institute and Hospital (NICRH) Prof Dr Md Moarraf Hossain, the programme was also attended by Bangladesh Medical Association (BMA) President Dr Mostafa Jalal Mohiuddin, Acting Director General of Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) Dr Nasima Sultana, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University Vice-Chancellor Kanak Kanti Barua, Swadhinota Chikitshok Parishad President Prof Dr Iqbal Arslan, Awami League Health and Population Affairs Secretary Dr Rokeya Sultana were present among others.
“Cancer patients are increasing day by day and at present more than 15 lakh cancer patients in the country, according to an updated estimation of World Health Organization (WHO),” Zahid Maleque added. The report also showed that every year two lakh people were attacked by cancer and 1.5 lakh people die of the disease.
Prof Dr Md Moarraf Hossain in his speech said around 550 patients are being given radiotherapy and around 275 patients getting chemotherapy daily at NICRH.
“Most of the cancer patients are getting chemotherapy medicine for free at this hospital, which is a breakthrough initiative of the current government,” he said.
Cancer is a generic term for a large group of diseases that can affect any part of the body. Cancer is the rapid creation of abnormal cells that grow beyond their usual boundaries, and which can then invade adjoining parts of the body and spread to other organs.
World Cancer Day event takes place every year on February 4 to unite the world’s population to fight against cancer.
This year the theme of the Day is ‘I Am and I Will’, which refers –
Whoever you are, you have the power to reduce the impact of cancer for yourself, the people you love and for the world. It’s time to make a personal commitment.
Earlier, the minister inaugurated the liquid oxygen plant, CT scan machine, MRI machine and chemotherapy day-care management system at the hospital.
