The Bangladesh Medical University (BMU) plans to establish a comprehensive cancer institute to bring specialised cancer treatment, education and research services under one roof, as the university seeks to strengthen its role in the country’s cancer control efforts.
The proposed institute will integrate cancer prevention, screening, early diagnosis, surgery, radiotherapy, systemic treatment and palliative care, alongside postgraduate medical education and research.
The plan was outlined at a meeting of a joint review mission involving the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) at BMU today (11 November).
The mission is assessing the university’s existing capacity in cancer prevention, screening, early detection, treatment, education and research, while identifying gaps and priorities for future development.
Speaking at the meeting, BMU Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr F M Siddique said cancer was becoming a growing public health challenge in Bangladesh and called for a coordinated and sustainable system covering everything from prevention to advanced treatment and palliative care.
He said BMU had five core cancer-related departments: Clinical Oncology, Surgical Oncology, Gynaecological Oncology, Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, and Palliative Medicine, supported by several other specialised disciplines and diagnostic services.
The university also provides services in areas such as head and neck, oral and maxillofacial, orthopaedic, ocular, hepatobiliary, colorectal and uro-oncology. Radiology, pathology, laboratory medicine, nuclear medicine and pain medicine also support cancer diagnosis and management.
The vice-chancellor said bringing these departments and services together under a comprehensive cancer institute would help improve access to affordable, quality and evidence-based care while expanding specialist training and research.
He identified six priorities: assessing existing capacity, identifying gaps in infrastructure and human resources, strengthening multidisciplinary services, expanding education and research, building national and international partnerships, and enhancing BMU’s leadership in cancer control and health policy.
He particularly stressed the need for cancer registries, national treatment guidelines, skilled professionals, modern technology and international technical cooperation.
The review mission was led by Igor Veljkovic, senior programme officer at the IAEA. Experts from the three international organisations took part, while two specialists from the United States joined virtually.
Professor Dr Syed Md Akram Hussain, chairman of BMU’s Department of Clinical Oncology, chaired the meeting and presented an overview of the university’s cancer-related services, achievements, challenges and future priorities.
He said strengthening cancer care would require addressing shortages of skilled professionals, infrastructure and advanced radiotherapy technology, alongside better coordination among specialist departments.
He also stressed the importance of cancer registries, research and evidence-based national treatment guidelines to improve clinical practice and support policymaking.
“Bringing the university’s cancer-related departments together within a comprehensive cancer institute could significantly strengthen patient care, postgraduate education, research and national cancer control,” he said.
Departmental presentations highlighted existing service capacity, patient access, workforce requirements, infrastructure limitations and technological needs.
Presentations were delivered by Professor Dr Samia Mubin of Surgical Oncology, Professor Dr Jannatul Ferdous of Gynaecological Oncology, Professor Dr Ashrafun Nessa of the Cervical and Breast Cancer Project, Professor Dr Anowarul of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, and Professor Dr AKM Motiur Rahman Bhuiyan of Palliative Medicine.
Discussions also focused on expanding screening and early detection, modernising radiotherapy and other treatment services, improving palliative care, strengthening postgraduate training and promoting collaborative research.
The vice-chancellor expressed hope that the mission’s independent assessment and recommendations would help strengthen BMU’s institutional capacity and contribute to the national cancer control programme.
The university aims to develop the proposed institute into a national centre of excellence in comprehensive cancer care, education, research and health policy leadership.
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