BCCS observes World Cancer Day

Dhaka, Feb 3 (bdnews7.blogspot.com) – Bangladesh Childhood Cancer Society is holding programmes to mark the World Cancer Day on Wednesday.

A human chain will be formed and a rally will start at 10 am from the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University and a press conference will be held at 11 am at the National Press Club, said a press release issued on Tuesday.

"Since its inception in 2007, BCCS has been undertaking several programmes to mark the day every year on Feb 4," said the press release.

"Mass awareness could drastically cut the rate of cancer deaths as strict hygiene is a must-do for the patients and their parents as viral and bacterial attacks by the uncontrolled visits cause cross infections that accelerate death," the statement said.

No less than 6,000 children are struck with the dreadful disease annually, says the Society.

But just 500-600 children affected with cancers get treatment in the paediatric haematology and oncology ward of BSMMU, the lone full-fledged and recognised centre in the country, says the Society.

"Medical care in the area is almost non-existent in the country except in Dhaka," it says.

BCCS is striving to reach the treatment to the doorsteps of people across the country, the statement continued.

It is building a Home for the Childhood Cancer Patients and planning a composite medical institute with a hospital, BCCS secretary general ADM Alauddin said.

"We are planning to set up branches all over the country, and reach medical care to the ailing humanity," he said.

Hasina orders steps for Barapukuria victims

Dhaka, Feb 3 (bdnews24.com) – The prime minister ordered authorities on Tuesday to take urgent steps to relocate the victims of land subsidence around the Barapukuria Coalmine in Dinajpur.

The prime minister directed her private secretary Nazrul Islam Khan to ensure steps were taken to list the victims, stratify them and rehabilitate them as well as to be on guard that they do not face the same plight in future.

Hasina directed authorities to move in this regard as soon as possible after she heard from affected families, who met her in parliament.

She also wondered that no measures had yet been taken although they have been suffering for the last 10 months.

The PM's adviser Toufique-e-Elahi and state minister for energy Shamsul Haq Tuku, were among those also present.

The PM's deputy press secretary Naqib Uddin Ahmed briefed reporters in this regard.