Health and Family Welfare Minister Mohammed Nasim emphasized the importance of maintaining hygiene in hospitals across the country for the sake of people.
“People visiting and receiving treatment in hospitals are already vulnerable to various type of infections, so ensuring proper hygiene environment in hospitals is essential,” he said.
Moreover, a hygiene and pleasant atmosphere is also important for the smoothness of mind of the people who are anxious or unwell, he added.
He said this on Monday while speaking as the chief guest at a function at National Institute of Cancer Research & Hospital (NICRH) in city’s Mohakhali area marking the World Cancer Day, which was observed across the country on February 4 with the theme ‘We Can, I Can’.
“The government is working to set up separate medical universities in Sylhet, Chittagong and Rajshahi to ensure quality treatment for the people side by side with creating new doctors,” Nasim said.
Earlier, he inaugurated the newly made auditorium, link corridor, contouring lab, cancer awareness display board and patient queue management system in the hospital.
NICRH Director Professor Dr M Moarraf Hossen presided over the function while State Minister for Health Zahid Maleque, Director General of Health Services, Prof Dr Abul Kalam Azad Director, Health and Population Affairs Secretary of Central Committee of Bangladesh Awami League Dr Rokeya Sultana, Secretary General of Swadhinata Chikitshak Parishad (Swachip) MA Aziz, Secretary General of Bangladesh Medical Association (BMA)Dr M Ehteshamul Huq Choudhury and Swachip President M Iqbal Arslan spoke on the occasion, among others.
Citing a data of WHO which stated that each year 8.8 million people die from cancer, mostly in low- and middle-income countries, the speakers highlighted the early diagnosis to prevent the deadly disease.
Cancer cases are mainly diagnosed at the late stages, they said, adding that diagnosing and treatment of cancer in the advanced levels only cause suffering as well as early death.
They also opined that earlier diagnosis and better access to affordable treatment can only be ensured through creating awareness among the people.
According to World Health Organisation (WHO), approximately 30-50 per cent of cancers can be prevented by imposing higher taxes on tobacco and alcohol, promoting healthy diets and physical activity, and advocating for access to Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccination.
