Dhaka: Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) has introduced liquid-based cytology technology, the first of its kind in the country, for screening cervical cancer.

BSMMU vice chancellor Prof Dr Kamrul Hasan Khan launched it at its Shaheed Dr Milion Hall in the capital on Saturday.

BSMMU pro-vice chancellor (research and dev) Prof Dr Md Shahidullah Sikder, its pro-vice chancellor (education) Prof ASM Zakaria Shawpan and chairman of Pathology Department Dr Ashim Ranjan Barua, among others, spoke on the occasion.

Prof Kamrul Hasan said a dream has come true with the introduction of the liquid-based cytology in cervical cancer diagnosis.

The technology will play an important role in detecting cervical cancer in the country, he said, adding that once some more diagnosis technologies are introduced, it will be possible to provide world-class healthcare facility in the country.

In Bangladesh, cervical cancer is the most frequent cancer among women of all ages and is the leading cause of cancer death among women, says the World Health Organization (WHO).

The cervical cancer is the second leading cause of deaths in cancer in Bangladeshi women having the lack of preventive care. More than 50 percent of those diagnosed with the disease will die from it.

Some 13,000 woman die every year in cervical cancer, according to a study by the National Institute of Cancer Research and Hospital.