Rajshahi cancer hospital in grip of financial crisis

RAJSHAHI, Aug 10: The activities of Rajshahi Cancer Hospital and Research Institute are running at a turtle's pace as it has been gripped by financial crisis. Overall development of the institute has come to a halt due to lack of essential equipment.
As a result, cancer patients in the region are being deprived of modern and improved treatment at a low cost.
The hospital needs about Tk 500 million (Tk 50 crore) to turn it into a full-fledged institution for cancer researchers in a move meant to see the country churning out more health professionals.
The 45-bed hospital, situated in Katakhali area of the city, was founded in 2007 with a view to providing affordable healthcare services to the patients suffering from cancer diseases.
D. Patrick Bipul Biswas, founder of the hospital, said many people from north western parts of the country find it difficult and costly to go to Dhaka, looking for better facilities due to financial constraints.
The hospital was established in association with the local people and Rotary Foundation aiming to create facilities for early detection of cancer and to start treatment in early stage of the disease that will save many people and reduce sufferings from this killer disease.
From the beginning, equipment of the hospital usually are purchased with the contribution from the people.
The hospital is urgently needed a radiotherapy machine which will cost about Tk 250 million, and also few establishments, D. Biswas said adding that the government and the generous people of the society should come forward with financial assistance for a speedy progress of the hospital.    
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