DHAKA, Feb 14, 2021 (BSS) – Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today asked all
concerned to conduct more research on medical sciences particularly on cancer
as the people could get the desired healthcare services in the country.
“The scope of researches in our country is very limited. Especially
research on the medical sciences is not adequate. But, it is solely
necessary,” she said.
She said this while virtually laying foundation stone of the Kumudini
International Institute of Medical Sciences and Cancer Research from her
official Ganabhaban residence in the capital.
The prime minister also stressed the need for carrying out researches on
cancer especially on how it spreads in the country’s environment, weather and
climate alongside its treatment as the people could get quality healthcare
services in the country.
She, however, said the people (physicians) who were supposed to conduct
research on the medical sciences, have been passing busy days to see
patients.
In this connection, she said, “There are very few physicians who have
publication and research.”
The prime minister said that her government has established the country’s
first medical university after assuming office in 1996, adding that four
medical universities are being set up in the country.
She also said her government has set a target to establish a medical
university in each division, adding that once the universities are built, the
scope in conducting researches on medical sciences would increase.
The premier went on saying that her government has established many medical
institutes after assuming office first time in 1996 and later upgraded those
and set up more institutes while coming to power for the second time.
“I personally believe that doing research in the institutes is very much
essential,” she said, adding that the people of the country would get
standard healthcare services if researches are carried out on larger scale.
She added that Bangladesh has progressed one step forward in health sector
with laying foundation stone of the Kumudini International Institute of
Medical Sciences and Cancer Research and it will inspire others to join hands
on the humanitarian ground.
The prime minister also hoped that the institute will play a pivotal role
in conducting research on cancer.
Health and Family Welfare Minister Zahid Maleque, Razib Prosad Saha,
managing director of Kumudini Welfare Trust (KWT) and grandson of
philanthropist Ranada Prashad Saha, and KWT’s director Shreemoti Saha spoke
on the occasion at Kumudini Complex in Narayanganj.
Local lawmakers, mayor of Narayanganj City Corporation and ambassador of
Japan to Bangladesh were present, among others.
A video documentary on the activities of the Kumudini Welfare Trust was
screened at the function.
Sheikh Hasina said the Awami League government since its assumption has
been encouraging the private sectors to set up the medical colleges and
hospitals aimed at creating scopes to provide the countrymen with desired
healthcare services.
She said, “You (people) know that we are establishing universities in each
district both on the public and private initiatives. We are also building
medical colleges. We are also taking measures to make sure of their
qualities.”
The prime minister said her government has been making tax free or
reducing it for importing medical equipment required to establish medical
colleges and hospitals as the private sector comes forward in the endeavor.
She said her government also did everything for providing the best
treatment to the children, adding that she made tax free to import
incubators.
For such an initiative, she said, many quality medical colleges and
hospitals have been established in the country.
She, however, said the Kumudini Welfare Trust founded by the philanthropist
Ranada Prosad Saha also known as RP Saha has been playing a pioneer role to
this end.
The premier extended her heartiest greetings to the family members of RP
Saha for continuing his humanitarian works till the date and recalled some of
her sweet memories with the Saha family.
Sheikh Hasina said Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
liberated the country for giving the people a beautiful life with ensuring
all the basic needs such as food, education, treatment, housing and clothing.
The prime minister said her government has been working tirelessly to
accomplish the desire of Bangabandhu.
To reach healthcare services to every doorstep, she said Bangabandhu had
taken an initiative to establish a 10-bed hospital in every union and her
government has been working relentlessly to fulfill his (Bangabandhu’s)
aspirations.
The prime minister reiterated her call to follow the health guidelines
properly that included wearing facemasks and washing hands even after getting
vaccinated.
She however said that the eagerness relating to taking the Covid-19
vaccines has been showing an increasing trend referring to the fact that 1.94
lakh people had received the vaccine yesterday (Saturday).
“We have taken all the measures required to tackle the coronavirus and for
that reason we have been able to bring the pandemic under control,” she
added.
In this connection, she said her government has appointed 2000 physicians,
6000 nurses and technicians within seven days to effectively fight the
coronavirus.
The prime minister said her government has purchased 3.40 crore doses of
vaccine from India while the Indian government has given Bangladesh 20 lakh
shots of the vaccine as a gift.
Many other countries have been showing keenness to give vaccines, she said,
adding that her government will also receive the vaccines mainly to make all
the countrymen vaccinated to get rid of the Covid-19 pandemic.