The government will build a 15-storey cancer hospital in each of the eight divisions within the next two years, Health and Family Welfare Minister Zahid Maleque said Thursday.

He made the announcement at a meeting to review the progress of the 'Establishment of Cancer Hospitals at 8 Divisional Levels' project at the secretariat.

The hospitals will have adequate facilities for the treatment of cancer as well as kidney and heart and each department will have at least 300 beds, Maleque said.

“Once the hospitals start operation, the people won’t need to go abroad for treatment,” the health minister said.

50pc cancer patients travel abroad

The number of cancer patients is increasing in the country for various reasons, including food adulteration, environment pollution, smoking and genetic problems.

According to the National Institute of Cancer Research and Hospital (NICRH), there are now around 1.5 to 2 million cancer patients in Bangladesh. Around 200,000 more patients are added every year.

Also read: Cancer patients growing, but treatment facilities scanty in Bangladesh

An estimated 120,000 people die from cancer each year.

Bangladesh’s existing treatment facilities can serve hardly 70,000-75,000 patients.

More than 50 percent cancer patients go abroad for treatment for lack of healthcare facilities at home.

According to officials of NICRH, the country requires at least 5,000 hospital beds for cancer patients but now it has only 500.

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