National Institute of Cancer Research and Hospital

National Institute of Cancer Research & Hospital (NICRH)^[1] (Bengali: জাতীয় ক্যান্সার গবেষণা ইনস্টিটিউট ও হাসপাতাল) is dedicated to cancer patient management, education and research. This is the only tertiary level center of the country engaged in multidisciplinary cancer patient management.^[2][3] It started its activity in a tin-shade building of Dhaka Medical College and Hospital in 1982, soon it is shifted to the present location at Mohakhali in 1986.^[4] According to a Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Ministry of Health and the Rotary Club of Dhaka the latter built the Rotary Cancer Detection Unit (RCDU) and the Cancer Institute started working as an outdoor cancer detection unit only.^[5] In 1991, 50 bed indoor facilities incorporated.^[6] In 1994 the cancer institute renamed as National Institute of Cancer Research & Hospital (NICRH)^[7][8] and the first radiation treatment was applied to a patient in 1995 with a Cobalt 60 Teletherapy machine.^[9] With the provision of support from the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD), the up-gradation works of this Institute to 300 bedded Center has been completed. In April 2015 it was upgraded to a 300-bed hospital. In 2019 the Health Minister Jahid Maleque M.P. consented to convert NICRH as a 500-bed hospital and the work is almost completed.^[10][11]

NICRH main view

National Institute of Cancer Research and Hospital
National Institute of Cancer Research and Hospital
Geography
Location	Mohakhali, TB Gate Road, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Coordinates	23.7783°N 90.4093°E / 23.7783; 90.4093
History
Opened	1982
Links
Website	nicrh.gov.bd
Lists	Hospitals in Bangladesh

NICRH offers the following courses:

• MD in Radiation Oncology^[12]
• MD in Medical Oncology
• MS in Surgical Oncology

Activities

• All diagnostic activities- for cancer detection
• All kinds of treatments- surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, etc.^[13]
• Hospital Based Cancer Registry
• It has formulated National Guidelines for high-quality, cost-effective cancer treatment plans for 4 common cancers of our country.^[14]
• Different training programs- for health professionals –histopathologists, gynecologists, nurses, technologists, community leaders, etc.
• Organizing tobacco prevention & cessation programs in the community.
• Participation in national activities- such as observance of World Cancer Day, World Pediatric Cancer Day, No Tobacco Day, Breast & Cervical cancer awareness month, and chalking out of special Breast Cancer Screening Campaign in the victory month of December from 2015.^[15]
• Telemedicine services
• Publication of NICRH journal
• Palliative care services^[16]
• Academic activities^[17]

Departments of NICRH

• Department of Radiation Oncology
• Department of Medical Oncology
• Department of Surgical Oncology
• Department of Gyanecological Oncology
• Department of Cancer Epidemiology
• Department of Haematology
• Department of Pediatric Haematology & Oncology
• Department of Radiology & Imaging
• Department of Histopathology
• Department of Cytopathology
• Department of Laboratory Medicine
• Department of Microbiology
• Department of Immunology and Molecular Biology
• Department of Blood Transfusion Medicine
• Department of ENT Oncology
• Department of Dental and Faciomaxillary Surgical Oncology
• Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgical Oncology
• Department of Orthopedic Surgical Oncology
• Department of Genito-urinary Surgical Oncology
• Department of Anesthesiology
• Department of Physical medicine & rehabilitation
• Department of Psychotherapy
• Department of Emergency Oncology^[17]

References

1. "Lung cancer more common in men, breast cancer in women : NICRH report". The Business Standard. 7 December 2022.
2. "Cancer treatment facilities scanty". 16 January 2016.
3. Chandan, Md Shahnawaz Khan (4 February 2021). "Cancer care in Bangladesh: A tale of scarcity and negligence". The Daily Star.
4. "Cancer care: Medical treatment and beyond". 4 February 2023.
5. "Cancer increasing in Bangladesh, may double in 2050". 3 February 2024.
6. "Treatment at cancer hospital disrupted after sudden transfer of senior nurses". 20 July 2020.
7. "Cancer institute to be upgraded to 1000-bed: Health minister". 29 December 2019.
8. "Minister: NICRH to be upgraded to 1000-bed".
9. "Low allocation, low-quality diet for patients at 6 public hospitals in Dhaka". 12 March 2024.
10. "A Fatal Diagnosis: Cancer treatment in Bangladesh". 11 January 2019.
11. "Cancer Care Services: Ridiculously inadequate". 4 February 2019.
12. "NICRH launches month-long free breast cancer screening".
13. "State of cancer care in Bangladesh". 4 February 2022.
14. "New Age | Cancer patients on rise in Bangladesh".
15. "Cancer treatment: Big concerns and big costs". 4 February 2021.
16. "Glaring Irregularities at National Cancer Research & Hospital".
17. "About Us". National Institute of Cancer Research and Hospital. Retrieved 5 May 2021.