Cervical cancer screening: DMCH opens training, research centre

The authorities of Dhaka Medical College Hospital has opened Cervical Cancer Screening Training and Research Center with the aim to train healthcare workers in the country on cervical cancer.

Prof Abul Bashar Mohammad Khurshid Alam, director general of the health directorate inaugurated the centre as chief guest on February 20, according to a press release issued yesterday.

Cervical cancer is one of the most pressing health issues in Bangladesh, with an alarming 12,000 new cases and 6,000 deaths reported every year.

It is the second most common cancer among women in Bangladesh, representing approximately 15 percent of all female cancer cases, according to the World Health Organization.

The centre will particularly work to build and strengthen capacity of the public healthcare facilities on cervical cancer in nine upazilas of Kurigram district and six upazilas of Cox's Bazar district.

In this context, the centre aims to play a vital role to fight cervical cancer by providing training to health service providers from various districts and upazilas of the country, the release adds.

Health and Education for All of the Brown University Global Health Initiative and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) will provide necessary assistance to the facility, states the release.

Professor Ahmedul Kabir, additional director general of the DGHS, Brigadier General Dr Nazmul Haque, director of DMCH, Professor Shafiqul Alam Chowdhury, principal of Dhaka Medical College, Gynae Oncology Professor Nazma Haque, and Professor Fatema Rahman attended the event among others.