Plans include cancer hospitals in every divisional city, regular screening and early diagnosis, and two national initiatives to coordinate cancer prevention efforts.
State Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr MA Muhit. Photo: Courtesy
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State Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr MA Muhit. Photo: Courtesy
State Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr MA Muhit today (14 November) said the government aims to bring cancer treatment services to people’s doorsteps within five years, with plans to establish cancer hospitals in every divisional city.
He made the remarks as the chief guest at a national stakeholder consultation meeting on strengthening cancer care services in Bangladesh, jointly organised by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the World Health Organization at Hotel InterContinental in Dhaka.
The state minister said breast, colorectal and oral cancers are among the more common types in Bangladesh, making early awareness and necessary preventive measures important.
He also said primary healthcare workers would receive the necessary training to raise awareness and take appropriate measures to prevent cancer.
Describing the consultation as a milestone in formulating and implementing a national cancer policy, Muhit said the government had already announced plans to establish cancer hospitals in every divisional city.
He said effective measures would also be taken to prevent cancer, ensure regular screening and provide opportunities for early diagnosis.
Noting that the health ministry alone could not tackle cancer, the state minister said coordinated efforts by other relevant ministries, including those responsible for science and technology and food, were necessary.
To this end, the government would form a National Cancer Control Programme and a National Cancer Control Council, he said.
These initiatives would help formulate effective policies for cancer prevention and control and ensure coordination among ministries, the state minister added.
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