In 1860, Ralph Waldo Emerson, an American Philosopher famously quoted, ‘The first wealth is health’. The proverb, ‘Health is Wealth’ is the core fundamental motto of many countries and organizations as the basis of any economy is a good community and to develop a good community, we need to raise a healthy population.
Countries across the world are plagued with several diseases that stem from their geographical locations and the cultural lifestyle of the people in those regions. However, most Asian countries today are fighting with one common enemy: Cancer. A country to consider in particular is the rampantly booming South Asian economy of Bangladesh, which is being tagged as the next ‘Asian Tiger’. It is currently touted as the second-largest economy in South Asia and is reported as the 35th largest in nominal terms across the globe. In spite of the global pandemic, Bangladesh managed to register a GDP growth rate of 7.2 percent for the fiscal year 2021-22. With healthcare spending of Bangladesh reported at around 2.48 percent of the total GDP in 2019, Bangladesh has recently announced nearly Tk 369 billion (USD 3.4 billion) for the health sector in FY 2022-23.
Labaid Cancer Hospital and Super Speciality Center in Dhaka is the first-ever comprehensive cancer care facility in Bangladesh. It shines as a mark of excellence in Bangladesh’s healthcare sector with over 30 years of legacy.
International Business Magazine recently acknowledged it as ‘Leading Cancer Hospital, South Asia 2023’,
‘Most Advanced Treatment for Cancer, Bangladesh 2023’
and ‘Most Trusted Healthcare Services Provider, Bangladesh 2023’.
This multi-award-winning hospital has brought world-class cancer treatment into the ambit of the common people of Bangladesh.
Ensuring Special Treatment for All
According to research, Cancer and respiratory diseases are the two most dangerous diseases in Bangladesh. It factors for 25 percent of deaths in the country. With lung cancer and oral cancers being the two most common cancers among Bangladeshis, reports are indicating an upward trajectory in the near future. Dr A M Shamim, the Chairman and the founder of Labaid Cancer Hospital and Super Speciality Center, set out on an arduous journey to save his country and develop a healthy prosperous economy. This Super Speciality Center stands at the forefront of Bangladesh’s fight against Cancer. The Center houses modern equipments for diagnosis and radiotherapy treatments. Labaid Cancer Hospital and Super Speciality Center has set a benchmark with the inclusion of latest technologies and services like
- Brachytherapy from SagiNova
- CT Simulation from Somatom
- LINAC from TrueBeam
- Ultrasound from Philips
- Flaxavision
- Modus Qa
- Digital Mammography
- Robotic Surgery
- 3T MRI
- Chemotherapy
- Immunotherapy
- Genome Therapy
and many more.
Sakif Shamim, Managing Director for Labaid Cancer Hospital and Super Speciality Center explains the mission of his facility, which is providing a wide range of services and facilities in the most cost-effective manner. Sakif is credited for improving corporate governance and culture across the Labaid Group. He has played a key role in improving the management and the Group’s brand image across the Healthcare sector in Bangladesh and South Asia. He and his dedicated staff of doctors and other medical professionals are committed to forwarding the trend set by the founder of the institute, Dr A M Shamim for the healthcare sector of Bangladesh. Sakif Shamim ensures the most advanced treatment for Cancer in Bangladesh through his experienced Oncology team of medical, radiation, surgical and gynecological Oncologists. The super speciality center is setting world standards in the sub-continent through its experienced medical physicist, radiologist, pediatric oncologist, haemato-oncologist, fully equipped pathology Lab, ICU, HDU, 8 Modular advance operation theatres, Daycare Center, Dialysis Center, Palliative care and psychotherapy center, 24/7 emergency pharmacy service and all super-specialty inpatient departments. The 14-storied modern building in Dhaka comes with 180+ inpatient beds under the care of expert medical professionals, skilled nurses and a well-organized multidisciplinary treatment board.
Sakif Shamim further reveals, “Labaid Cancer Hospital and Super Speciality Center meets international standards of treatment through six advanced modular operation theatres, three advanced LINAC machines, a solid organ transplantation programme, BMT, cyberknife technique and access to clinical research drugs. It is our ambition and constant perseverance to deliver the best treatment in oncology at the most affordable rates possible. My team at Labaid have delivered their highest level of commitment and dedication in ensuring the best facilities and treatments for the patients and their families.”
Labaid Cancer hospital and super speciality center has even set up several centres of excellence for brain cancer, blood cancer, eye cancer, thyroid cancer, lung cancer, skin cancer, kidney cancer, prostate cancer, bone cancer, breast cancer, urinary bladder cancer, pancreatic cancer, stomach cancer, liver cancer, oral cancer, ovarian & cervical cancer, penile cancer, Esophageal cancer, head and neck cancer, colon cancer and nasopharynx cancer.
Mark of a Passionate Healthcare Business Group
This multi-award-winning healthcare center is also considered as one of the most trusted healthcare services providers in Bangladesh due to its vast array of diagnostic packages for various kinds of health ailments and age groups. Sakif Shamim has even taken the initiative to take care of long-time hospitalized patients and their families. This has proven to be beneficial for patients arriving from faraway regions or even foreigners. The initiative, which is called ‘Oporojoyi Abashon’ is one of the many humanitarian gestures from Labaid Cancer hospital and super speciality center. Through this initiative, the patients and their family members are ensured with an accommodation that is comfortable, safe and affordable for a long period of time while being close to the hospital.
In order to achieve total digital transformation by 2026, Labaid Cancer Hospital and Super Speciality Center have partnered with Darwinbox. This would enhance the HR operations and workforce management for its 2000+ employees across Bangladesh. Sakif believes that his initiatives, especially with the new HRMS policies have improved productivity, efficiency, and market leadership of the Labaid Group. Such modern corporate developments have also made Labaid Group an ideal place to work in for healthcare professionals.
Sakif Shamim, the passionate healthcare entrepreneur shared his vision for a promising and prosperous Bangladesh, “We are working towards the goal of establishing 10 tertiary hospitals and over 30 cancer centers across Bangladesh. We look to build upon the trust and reliability that Labaid Group has come to be associated with through my father Dr A M Shamim. With over 30 years of legacy in healthcare and modern revolutionary strategies, Labaid Group is a milestone in the overall cancer treatment industry of Bangladesh. We strongly believe that everyone deserves access to cancer care and we are committed to delivering better treatment and quality of life for all cancer patients. We have been conducting several awareness programmes across the country to spread the word of the opportunities available in cancer treatment.”
With its core in health care services, Labaid group is growing in other sectors as well including pharmaceuticals, financial, education, agriculture and few others. Sakif Shamim and his loyal supporters at Labaid Group are dedicated to serving the underprivileged and upbringing the overall quality of life in the country. Through several community works and other noble contributions, Sakif aspires to boost the well-being of his fellow citizens of Bangladesh and hence promotes charity and various other health beneficiary programmes across Bangladesh.
Article by Ujal Nair
