In a recent interview, Dr Mostafa Aziz Sumon, director of the National Institute of Cancer Research and Hospital (NICRH), highlighted that although not all cancers can be prevented, certain types, such as cervical cancer, can be effectively prevented through vaccination. Despite government initiatives, a lack of public awareness has hindered many families from vaccinating their children.
Dr Sumon noted that alongside new hospitals, modern medical equipment, and medicines, the most urgent priorities in combating cancer are raising public awareness, expanding preventive vaccination, and implementing a nationwide cancer screening programme. He pointed out that the number of cancer patients in Bangladesh is increasing due to air pollution, food adulteration, and various environmental hazards.
He stressed that timely vaccination, regular screening, and greater public awareness could prevent a significant number of cancer cases or detect them at an early stage. Although school-going girls have been included in the cervical cancer vaccination programme, only about 3 percent coverage has been achieved so far because of inadequate public awareness.
Dr Sumon identified the absence of a national cancer screening programme as one of Bangladesh's major shortcomings. He emphasized that early diagnosis should receive the highest priority alongside primary prevention. Referring to the shortage of cancer specialists relative to the country's population, he said the greater challenge is the lack of technology-based training.
The NICRH director also discussed improvements in hospital services, including the provision of radiotherapy in three shifts until midnight and the introduction of evening chemotherapy sessions. He added that nearly 98 percent of medicines are now provided to patients completely free of charge. However, he identified the shortage of radiotherapy services as a major challenge, with around 6,500 patients currently waiting for treatment at NICRH alone.
