Dhaka:Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Husain announced the installation of 17 new radiotherapy machines across hospitals in the country to enhance cancer treatment accessibility.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, six of these machines will be installed in specialized hospitals and medical colleges in Dhaka, while the remaining 11 will be placed in hospitals outside the capital. The minister highlighted the rapid increase in cancer patients and the challenges faced in providing treatment due to equipment shortages and malfunctions. He emphasized that timely treatment could save many lives and stated that training programs for technicians and the necessary manpower have already started.
Additionally, Sakhawat Husain announced a nationwide family planning campaign set to begin on December 1, 2026, and run until November 30, 2027. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will formally inaugurate the campaign, which aims to provide birth-control materials and counseling directly to households, alongside organizing rallies, fairs, and awareness programs. The campaign's slogan will be: 'Not more than two children, one is better.'
The minister also addressed the issue of dengue, confirming that treatment and saline supplies are being managed following WHO protocols. He noted that doctors have been instructed to monitor changes in dengue strains and the increase in post-dengue cardiac complications. Ministry data reveals that 94,356 dengue patients have been hospitalized since January, with 88,299 having recovered and been discharged.