Emphasising that the combined implementation of vaccination, screening, and necessary treatment is essential to tackling cervical cancer, the “March for Mother” initiative held a discussion and awareness rally in the capital on Saturday.
Speakers at the event, marking Cervical Cancer Awareness Day, noted that according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), a disease is considered eliminated only when the infection rate falls below four per 100,000 people.
The programme was organised by the Community Oncology Center Trust and the World Cancer Society, Bangladesh on 10 January 2026.
The discussion, held at the Tofazzal Hossain Manik Miah Hall of the National Press Club, was chaired by Professor Dr Md Habibullah Talukder Ruskin, Chief Coordinator of March for Mother and Project Coordinator of Gonoshasthaya Community-based Cancer Hospital.
In his presidential address, Professor Ruskin praised the government’s efforts in implementing the HPV vaccination programme, noting that a single dose was provided for free to students in classes 5 to 9 (aged 10–14) across the country last year.
From this year, the vaccine will be provided for free to 10-year-old girls or those in class 5. However, he stressed that a one-year wait for screening and treatment, particularly radiotherapy, is “completely unacceptable” and urged the government to take “bold steps” towards universal health coverage.
The chief guest, Dr Halida Hanum Akhter, Chairman of the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society and a public health expert, announced plans to gradually launch cancer awareness and motivation programmes across the 68 branches of the Red Crescent.
Professor Sabera Khatun, President of the Gynecological Oncology Society of Bangladesh and Founder Chairperson of the Community Oncology Center Trust, highlighted a critical gap in medical facilities.
She stated that while surgery is possible for only 30 out of every 100 cervical cancer patients, radiotherapy is essential for the remaining 70 per cent.
“The capacity for radiotherapy must be increased, and this demand should be raised to the government not just by doctors, but by social workers as well,” she urged.
Other speakers included Professor Saria Tasnim, Chairperson of the Community Oncology Center Trust; Syed Humayun Kabir, President of World Cancer Society, Bangladesh; Mahbub Shawkat, General Secretary of the Bangladesh Cancer Foundation; National Award-winning filmmaker Masihuddin Shaker; former Additional Secretary Abdul Hakim Majumder; and writer Asif Hasan Nabi.
The speakers identified several risk factors for the disease, including child marriage, frequent childbirth, poor personal hygiene, and malnutrition.
Following the discussion, a “March for Mother” awareness procession was held, with participants distributing leaflets from the National Press Club to the Moghbazar crossing.
Members and volunteers from the Bangladesh Cancer Foundation, Gonoshasthaya Community-based Cancer Hospital, and the Gynecological Oncology Society of Bangladesh participated in the rally.
