As many as 300,000 people are diagnosed with Cancer every year with 100,000 dying, Health Minister Mohammad Nasim told the Parliament.
He made the comment during a question-and-answer session on Thursday presided over by Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury.
“The number of Cancer patients is rising due to tobacco consumption and unsafe food habits,” he said.
Responding to a query, he said that work is underway to replace the old radiotherapy machine with new ones in state-run hospitals to provide proper treatment. “Efforts have also been taken to increase skilled doctors and nurses.”
Answering to a question by MP Navana Akhter, Nasim said: “To reduce infant and maternal deaths, ‘Every mother, every newborn’ service will start at all district hospitals.”
Responding to a question by MP Kazi Nabil Ahmed, he said, “The government has plans to provide modern medical services, including dialysis machines and neurosurgeries at all district hospitals.”
“Last year, 447 doctors were sent abroad for training,” added the minister.
He also mentioned the target to bring down maternal mortality from 176 per 100,000 to 105 by 2022.
In an effort to counter irregularities in drug manufacturing with stringent punishment, a new law is currently waiting to be approved, said Nasim.