Health and Family Welfare Minister Mohammed Nasim said on Monday that government will recruit 10,000 doctors in its current term to mitigate health service inadequacies in public hospitals.

The minister was addressing an inauguration programme of some works of National Institute of Cancer Research and Hospital (NICRH) and a discussion marking the World Cancer Day-2018, organised by NICRH, reports the UNB. 

At NICRH, he inaugurated a newly completed auditorium, link corridor, contouring lab, a digital display for building cancer awareness and patient queue management system.

Nasim said in the period of this government, 50-bed hospital has been raised into a 300- bed one and after inaugurating the new building which is now under construction it will be turn into a 500-bed hospital by November.

Nasim said the prime minister has permitted establishments of three new medical universities, a number of specialised medical collage hospitals and recruitment of 10,000 trained nurses.

Health Minister said, ‘We are trying to fulfil the demands and increase the facilities and quality of treatment in the government medical institutions though we have very limited resources but the doctors and health workers need to be more disciplined to use them properly.’  

State Minister for Health and Family Welfare Zahid Malik said one-third of cancer cases can be fully cured if the treatment starts in primary stage.

NICRH Director Dr. Moarraf Hossen referred to the data of World Health Organisation (WHO), to say Bangladesh needs cancer treatment facilities such as at least 160 radiotherapy machines whereas, government hospitals have got nine only.

Dr. Abul Kalam Azad, Director General of Health Directorate, Dr. Mustafa Jalal Mohiuddin, President of Bangladesh Medical Association (BMA), Dr. Md. Ehteshamul Huq Choudhury, General Secretary of BMA, Dr. M Iqbal Arslan, President of Sadhinata Chikishak Parishad, MA Aziz, General Secretary of the Parishad, were present, among others.

In observance of the World Cancer Day, NICRH also arranged a colourful rally in the morning, a sports competition with the participation of cancer patients, cultural programme and food distribution at the Institute.