Another feather in Kumudini’s cap

Kumudini Welfare Trust, one of the most prestigious philanthropic organisations in Bangladesh, is set to lay the foundation stone for Kumudini International Institute of Medical Sciences and Cancer Research (KIIMS CaRe) on Sunday, at a ceremony to be held at Kumudini Complex, Narayanganj.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to unveil the foundation stone plaque of KIIMS CaRe virtually on the day, said a statement from the trust. KIIMS CaRe will be established in Narayanganj on its own land.

The institute will have a 300-bed general hospital, a 50-bed cancer hospital, cancer research centre, nursing institute and medical technology institute including a women's medical college. It is expected that, after setup, by 2030, KIIMS CaRe will be able to serve more than 3.5 million patients.

Kumudini Welfare Trust of Bengal (BD) Limited comprehends the need for rapid establishment of more hospitals, particularly specialised cancer hospitals, and health workforce development institutes, for example nursing college and medical technologist institutes, said commander (retired) Rizaul Karim, general manager (admin and ops) of the trust.

In line with the philosophy of the trust's founder Ranada Prasad Shaha, poor people will be served with high quality treatment, including cancer treatment, at a low cost at KIIMS CaRe.

Renowned international medical universities, competent doctors and medical experts will provide lectures there to train the health workforce, as well as render services at the hospital.

"In brief, KIIMS CaRe will be a one-stop place for low-cost, high-quality healthcare service provision and health workforce development, thereby becoming a complementary force beside the government's efforts," he said.

Treatment of cancer is very costly for middle- and low-income people. There are examples of families becoming extremely poor due to the high cost of treatment of cancer.

Kumudini Welfare Trust of Bengal has been serving humanity for more than 88 years now. The trust mainly concentrates on health, education, and women's empowerment.

During his lifetime, R P Shaha had set up the free Kumudini Hospital at Mirzapur, Tangail in 1944; educational institutions Bharateswari Homes for girls in 1938; Debendra College in 1942; Kumudini Girls College in 1943, and other institutions.

RP Saha and his son were abducted from their home in Narayanganj by the Pakistan Army and their collaborators on May 1971 and since then, they have been listed missing.