Online Desk: Speakers on Sunday said the country is still facing acute lack of the necessary infrastructure and highly skilled medical professionals to diagnose cancer at an early stage.

They were taking part in a special roundtable discussion focused on cancer awareness on the occasion of World Cancer Day organised by Evercare Hospital Dhaka.

The roundtable brought together experts from different sectors of the society to exchange opinions and discuss various aspects related to cancer.

The 2024 World Cancer Day theme is: ‘Close the Care Gap’. This campaign is about bringing attention to a higher level-literally-and raise our voices to engage our leaders, asking policymakers and decision makers around the world to prioritize cancer, develop innovative strategies to reduce inequity and invest in achieving a more equitable and cancer-free world.

They also called on leaders to eliminate health inequities by addressing the social determinants of health that contribute to them, ensuring that everyone has access to quality health services when, where and how they need them.

Vice Chancellor of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University Professor Dr. Md. Sharfuddin Ahmed delivered his speech as chief Guest while Dr. Arif Mahmud, Director, Medical Services of Evercare Hospitals, Bangladesh conducted the event as Chairperson.

Special guests included ; Prof. Dr. Golam Mohiuddin Faruque, President of Bangladesh Cancer Society; Professor Dr. Qazi Mushtaq Hussain, President of Bangladesh Society of Radiation Oncologists; Farida Yasmin, President of National Press Club; Suvas Chandra Singho Roy, Political Analyst; Prof. Dr. Akhil Ranjon Biswas, Professor of Department of Hematology, Dhaka Medical College & Hospital; Dr. Md. Ismail Hosen, Associate Professor of Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Dhaka; Professor Dr. Suvagoto Chowdhury, Medical Scientist, Author and Researcher; and Prof. Dr. Tasnim Ara, CEO, BioMed Molecular Diagnostics.

Furthermore, the event was attended by key figures from Evercare Hospital Dhaka, including Dr. Abu Jafar Mohammed Saleh, Dr. Ferdous Shahriar Sayed, Dr. Biswajit Bhattacharjee, Prof. Dr. Raju Titus Chacko, Dr. Arman Reza Chowdhury, Prof. Dr. Raihan Hussain, Prof. Brig Gen (Retd) Dr. S. M. Mahbubul Alam, Dr. Mizanur Rahman, and Vinay Kaul, Chief Marketing Officer of Evercare Hospitals, Bangladesh, among others.

Their presence at the event highlighted the importance of cancer awareness and advancements in medical services, aligning with Evercare Hospital Dhaka’s commitment to providing comprehensive and high-quality cancer care services.

The roundtable aimed to raise awareness about cancer prevention, treatment, diagnosis, infrastructural development, manpower development and foster collaboration to increase everyone’s understanding. It also emphasized the importance of coordinated efforts in campaigns for cancer awareness, dispelling myths and misconceptions about cancer, and aligning medical science on cancer-related issues.