Govt to establish laboratory on molecular biology: Muhit

State Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr MA Muhit on Friday said the government has decided to establish a "National Molecular Biology Laboratory" to promote advanced medical science, including cancer biology, and develop cancer treatment facilities in every divisional city across the country.

He made the announcement while addressing the inaugural ceremony of the "Sixth Bangladesh Breast Cancer Conference 2026 (BBC26)" as the chief guest at a city hotel on Friday afternoon, said a press release.

The Bangladesh Society for Breast Cancer Study (BSBCS) organised the conference.

In his speech, Dr Muhit placed the highest emphasis on early detection of breast cancer, saying, "Many women in Bangladesh die of breast cancer every year. Research has shown that most patients seek medical attention when the disease has already reached an advanced stage."

If it is too late to detect cancer, the greater risk of complications and its spread to other parts of the body, he added.

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"Cancer is no longer an incurable disease. Particularly in the case of breast cancer, if it is detected at a very early stage and treated properly, the mortality rate is very low, and patients can live healthy lives for many years," the state minister said.

Highlighting the need to introduce regular screening programmes for women in specific age groups, Dr Muhit said, "We need to raise widespread public awareness and introduce targeted screening programmes for women of specific age groups to detect breast cancer early. Proper screening can identify the risk or symptoms of the disease at the earliest stage."

Outlining the government's plans for modern medical technology and skilled human resources, he said, the use of molecular biology techniques is bringing major changes to cancer treatment worldwide.

"To improve the healthcare system of the future, the government has decided to establish a 'National Molecular Biology Laboratory' at the national level, and work on this initiative has already begun," the state minister continued.

"Alongside procuring modern equipment for cancer institutes, initiatives are also underway to develop new cancer specialists and skilled human resources through training at home and abroad," Dr Muhit said.

BSBCS President Professor Dr Qamruzzaman Chowdhury chaired the inaugural ceremony while its General Secretary Dr Arunangshu Das highlighted the organisation's activities over the past year and the central theme of the conference.

BSBCS Organising Secretary Dr Md Arifur Rahman delivered the welcome address while UNFPA Bangladesh Representative Catherine Breen Kamkong and US experts Professor Dr Ismail Jatoi and Professor Dr Don S Dizon spoke as special guests.

BSBCS patrons Professor MA Hai and Professor Dr Md Sanawar Hossain also spoke at the programme.