PM Inaugurates Country's Second bone Marrow Transplant Centre at CMH

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the BMT Centre and a Post-Anaesthetic Care Unit, a Critical Care Centre and a Casualty and Emergency Unit at the CMH by unveiling their plaques this afternoon.

Besides, Sheikh Hasina, who is also in-charge of the Ministry of Defence, opened the Army Multipurpose Complex and the Army Headquarters Conference and Auditorium Complex.

In Bangladesh, the incidence of blood cancer and blood-related disorders is increasing day by day. In the last five years, the Dhaka CMH treated 423 patients of haematological malignancy.

But out of these, they could cure a few cases. The CMH could have provided treatment to 94 potential patients had a bone marrow transplant centre been there, sources at the CMH said.

Realising this dreadful condition of the patients, the BMT Centre at Dhaka CMH has been established. It will treat both civil and military patients, the sources added.

The BMT Centre at Dhaka CMH has got modern treatment facilities for the patients with haematological malignancy like blood cancer and blood related disorders at a cheaper expense compared to the costs in countries like India, Thailand and Singapore.

The newly established BMT Centre is composed of a number of installations including a BMT Lab, a special haematology ward, stem cell lab, Apheresis room, HEPA Filter/HVAC System and a blood bank.

The country's first bone marrow transplantation centre was set up at Dhaka Medical College Hospital on October 20 in 2013.

After the inauguration of these establishments, a munajat was offered seeking continued development of the armed forces as well as peace, progress and prosperity of the nation.

Later, the Prime Minister visited different establishments at the CMH, including the BMT, as well as the Army Multipurpose Complex and the Army Headquarters Conference and Auditorium Complex. Health Minister Mohammad Nasim, PM's Security Advisor Major General (retd) Tarique Ahmed Siddique, Chief of Army Staff General Iqbal Karim Bhuiyan, Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Muhammad Enamul Bari, Acting Chief of Naval Staff Rear Admiral AMM Awrangazeb Chowdhury, Sheikh Helal Uddin, MP, Senior Secretary of the Defence Ministry Kazi Habibul Awal, the Director of the Military Medical Services Directorate General and the high civil and military officials were present on the occasion.

Besides, ex-Army chiefs were present.

Earlier, on her arrival at Dhaka Cantonment, the Prime Minister was received by Chief of Army Staff General Iqbal Karim Bhuiyan, Area Commander, Logistics Area, Major General Mizanur Rahman Khan and CMH Commandant Brigadier General Md Nasir Uddin.

Photo: Saiful Islam Kallol