Nasim sees graft as major problem in health sector

Health Minister Moh-ammad Nasim said on Sunday corruption and irregularities were the major problems in the health sector, which the government had been trying to overcome.
He also announced that the allocation for cancer hospital would be increased so that cancer patients can receive free treatment.
Mr Nasim made the disclosures responding to different allegations against doctors brought by the health sector leaders.
He was speaking as the chief guest at the inaugural ceremony of the 300-bed National Institute of Cancer Research and Hospital (NICRH) at Mohakhali in the city.
Additional secretary for health Biman Kumar Saha, Bangladesh Medical Asso-ciation (BMA) president Professor Dr Mahmud Hasan, general secretary Iqbal Arsalan and director general of Directorate General of Heath Services (DGHS) Dr Samiul Islam were present among others on the occasion. NICRH director Professor Dr Moarraf Hossain chaired the event.
As per the World Health Organisation (WHO) data, there are 1.2 million cancer patients in Bangladesh and every year 250,000 new patients are adding to the figure. Only 50,000 cancer patients receive treatment while the rest of them die of maltreatment or without treatment.
The health minister said Bangladesh had many achievements in the health sector for which the country was known to the world.
"Then why will we not be able to overcome problems like corruption and irregularities in health sector with everyone's effort?" he asked.
He said cancer spread in the country widely and people of all income groups had been suffering from the disease due to various environmental and economic causes.   
"We could not provide cancer treatment to all due to resource constraints. But whatever facilities we have should be used with sincerity and heartily, especially behaviours with cancer patients and their attendants," said Mr Nasim.
Iqbal Arsalan said the government had promoted doctors 16,694 times within only two years and the process had been continuing. The government promoted doctors not for ensuring their happiness but to facilitate expected services to the people, he said.
"I know many of you who have become professors never come to office timely, do not teach students and do not attend patients," he said.
Samiul Islam said the behaviors towards the patients and their attendants must be changed to provide better treatment.
The NICRH was upgraded to a 300-bed hospital from the present 150 beds. NIRCH provides treatment to more than 1000 outdoor patients every day. At present only nine public hospitals and six private hospitals are providing cancer treatment.     
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