Public health experts call for making all cancer medicines tax free in next budget

Public health experts today (10 October) called on the government to make cancer medicines tax-free.

Speaking at a roundtable discussion on the occasion of Breast Cancer Awareness Day, they also hoped that the government would take an initiative to this end before the next national budget.

The Bangladesh Breast Cancer Awareness Forum organised the discussion at the National Press Club in Dhaka on the day.

This year the theme of the day is: breast cancer, want quick diagnosis, complete treatment.

Professor Md Saidur Rahman, vice-chancellor of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), was present as the chief guest, while Professor Dr Habibullah Talukdar Raskin, chief coordinator of the Bangladesh Breast Cancer Awareness Forum and project coordinator of Gonoshasthaya Samaj Vittik Cancer Hospital, conducted the event.

Public health and reproductive health experts Dr Halida Hanum Akhtar, public health specialist Dr Abu Jamil Faisal, forum coordinator and founder trustee of COC Trust Mossarrat Sourav, senior health reporter and president of Bangladesh Health Reporters Forum Rashed Rabbi, former additional secretary Abdul Hakim Majumder, senior reporter and executive committee member of the National Press Club Shahnaz Poly, executive director of Nari Uddog Kendra Mashhuda Shefali, editor and trustee of COC Trust Iqbal Mahmud, and national award-winning filmmaker Mashih Uddin Shaker participated in the discussion.

According to the estimates of GlobeCan 2022 of the international organisation IARC, 13,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer in Bangladesh every year, and about 6,000 die. This cancer ranks at the top among women.

BSMMU VC Professor Md Saidur Rahman said, "We will see if something can be done about whether cancer medicine can be provided free of charge from the hospital, and it is within the responsibility of the state."

Professor Dr Habibullah Talukdar Raskin said that the day is being celebrated for the 12th time. This year, the emphasis is on increasing public awareness about the importance of early diagnosis and comprehensive treatment of breast cancer.

The reason, he said, many patients cannot get treatment due to a lack of awareness, ignorance, and financial instability even after being diagnosed with cancer. Many stop or are forced to stop treatment after partial treatment. As a result, the cancer can return more dangerously. It is important to raise awareness about this. At the same time, it is important to bring medical facilities within the reach of all geographically and economically, he added.

Earlier, a symbolic pink road procession was held and leaflets were distributed around the National Press Club.

The forum and its various member organisations have taken the initiative to operate one hundred patients with skilled cancer surgeons at the Gonoshasthaya Nagar Hospital at a symbolic cost of only Tk5,000 for poor breast cancer patients, who cannot afford to undergo surgery.