Progress of specialized cancer building at CMCH 63pc

The construction work on the 15-story specialized cancer building at Chittagong Medical College Hospital (CMCH) is progressing rapidly, with 69 percent  of the infrastructure completed. The project director, Engineer Rahul Guha, stated that the work on the cancer building is advancing swiftly, with 69% of the structure already finished. The construction of the 15-story building is nearing completion, with only one floor remaining.

Guha mentioned that the tender for the project was issued in 2018, and there has been a significant difference between the estimated cost at that time and the current expenses. Due to this disparity, the project is not being executed based on the initial budget, and adjustments have been made accordingly. Although the initial target was to complete the project by 2022, the deadline has been extended to 2024. However, Guha expressed hope that the work would be concluded soon.

Earlier, a report titled "Work on Cancer Building Stalled Due to Financial Crisis" was published in one of the daily newspapers on January 17 of the current year. The article highlighted that despite claims of completing 27 percent of the work by June 2022, visible progress was limited to a single floor's basement.

It is noted that eight divisional cities in Bangladesh, including Dhaka, Rajshahi, Rangpur, Sylhet, Mymensingh, Barisal, Khulna, and Chittagong, are establishing cancer units at medical college hospitals. The Chittagong project, managed by the Public Works Department, has incurred a budget of Tk 2,388.29 crore. The project's timeline was initially set from July 2019 to June 2022, but there is an ongoing process to extend the deadline until 2024.

While some doctors from the cancer department at Chittagong Medical College Hospital expressed optimism about the Cancer Care Unit, they raised concerns about the absence of a Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, Molecular Lab, Interventional Imaging Consultation Unit, Emergency Rooms, and other essential components. They emphasized the need for a comprehensive cancer care unit to ensure the availability of modern medical services.

In addition to concerns about specialized units, there are appeals for emergency services, with the assertion that transferring patients from the emergency unit to the cancer unit can pose significant challenges, especially during critical situations. The doctors emphasized that for the unit to be effective, it must include all necessary facilities.

Director Brigadier General Shamim Ahsan of Chittagong Medical College Hospital expressed hope that with the completion of the cancer building, cancer treatment services would be expanded within Chittagong. He anticipated that within the coming year, the facility would be operational, providing crucial cancer care services in the region.