Staff Reporter
The dread disease cancer claims the lives nearly one lakh and fifty thousand people every year in Bangladesh.
This was stated at different programmes organised by different organisations in the capital yesterday to mark the World Cancer Day-2009.
There are around ten lakh cancer patients across the country and every year 2 lakh new cases of cancer are added to this list. 13 percent of all deaths of the world are due to the cancer related. The slogan of the this year is ” If detected earlier, cancer can be cured.”
Bangladesh Childhood Cancer Society (BCCS) held a press conference at the Press Club in the city on the occation. BCCS formed a human chain at the premises of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) and organised a rally from the University to the National Press Club.
It was attended, among others, by President of BCCS and Chairman of Haematology Department of BSMMU Prof MA Mannan, its General Secretary ADM Alauddin, President of Cancer Society Prof Motiur Rahman Molla and Sanofi Aventis Representative Dr Tanveer.
Prof Mannan said that around 70 percent childhood cancer patients in Bangladesh can be cured if proper and timely measures are taken. He also said “Bangladesh’s infants morality rate is lowest in south Asia.”
ADM Alauddin said BCCS will reach the treatment facilities to the doorsteps of people across the country.
It is building a Home for the Childhood Cancer Patients and planning a composite medical institute with a hospital, he added.
He also said that they are planning to set up branch all over the country.
Dhaka Ahsania Mission held a programme at National Museum in the city. Health Minister Prof AFM Ruhul Haque attended the programme as chief guest. Among others, by Health Secretary SK Altaf Ali, Managing Director of AMCGH Md Fazlur Rahman, Director of AMCGH Brig Gen (Retd), syed Fazle Rahim and cancer specialist Dr Mdkamruzzaman, attended the programme.
The mission also organised a rally from Press Club to National Museum that was participated by members of Dhaka Ahsania Mission, Ahsania Mission Cancer & General Hospital (AMCGH), Doctors, Scouts, Girls Guide, Red Crescent and Students of Ahsania Mission Vocational Training Institute for Working Children (VTIWC).
The speakers said that cancer may affect people at all ages, but the risk for the disease increases with advance of age. Cancers can also affect all animals.
Diganta Memorial Cancer Foundation also observed the day with different programmes.
Courtesy: nation.ittefaq.com
