Govt seeks to expand nuclear medicine services

The government has launched a large-scale project to enhance healthcare services by utilising nuclear technology, aiming to improve diagnosis and treatment for bone cancers and diseases related to the kidneys and liver.

The project will expand access to these services by establishing the Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences (INMAS) in five medical college hospitals nationwide.

With an estimated budget of Tk697.02 crore, the project is set to be implemented from April 2024 to June 2028.

To move forward, the Ministry of Science and Technology has submitted the “Establishment of INMAS at Five Medical College Hospital Campuses” project to the Planning Commission for approval.

An official from the Planning Commission informed the Daily Sun that a meeting of the Project Evaluation Committee took place on 17 November, chaired by Rehana Parveen, a member (secretary) of the Socio-Economic Infrastructure Division of the Planning Commission.

The meeting involved discussions on various aspects of the project, with some significant recommendations for revisions and adjustments.

Once these observations are addressed, the official added that the next steps will be taken.

Project aims and objectives

The Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC) has long been providing medical services for thyroid, kidney, liver diseases and bone cancers using nuclear technology. INMAS has been established in 14 government medical colleges, along with INMAS in Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University.

These institutes offer advanced nuclear-based medical treatments.

The proposed project will establish new INMAS centres in the following locations: Bangabandhu Medical College Hospital, Sunamganj; Sheikh Hasina Medical College and Hospital, Tangail; Abdul Malek Ukil Medical College, Noakhali; Patuakhali Medical College and Hospital and Shaheed Syed Nazrul Islam Medical College Hospital, Kishoreganj.

Mentionable, on 3 November, the health ministry last month renamed 14 government medical college hospitals and other healthcare institutions across the country after the names of their respective districts.

The project aims to broaden access to nuclear medical services, particularly for low-income populations, by offering high-quality and affordable treatments.

Estimated budget and timeline

The total estimated cost of the project is Tk697.02 crore, with the implementation period from April 2024 to June 2028. However, following some revisions, the timeline may be adjusted from January 2025 to January 2029. The project will involve appointing expert consultants, procuring equipment and constructing new hospital facilities.

Service expansion and awareness campaign

Along with establishing new INMAS centres, the project will focus on raising awareness and promoting these services. Currently, many people are unaware of these advanced medical treatments, so efforts will be made to inform the public.

Next steps

During the meeting, participants reviewed the background, objectives and detailed project costs, suggesting several changes.

These included reassessing the naming of the proposed hospital sites and re-evaluating the rationale for site selection in the Development Project Proposal (DPP). Additionally, the creation of a market price committee and a report on pricing adjustments will be included in the DPP. A recommendation was made to reduce the price contingency from 3.5% to 1%.

BAEC officials emphasised that the peaceful use of nuclear technology has been integral to medical services in Bangladesh since 1960. BAEC has already established INMAS centres in 14 government medical colleges, with another eight in the process. The new project will bring nuclear medical services to an additional five medical college hospitals, thus improving healthcare standards and public health.

The project will also include initiatives to promote these services, ensuring that people are well-informed about the benefits of modern nuclear medicine treatments.

Impressive statistics

According to BAEC representatives, between 2021 and 2023, the 15 medical college projects served 6,58,757 patients, generating Tk5,31,413,905 in revenue. However, there is a need for greater awareness and outreach about these services. Thus, alongside the core objectives of the project, the importance of promoting these services to all sectors of society was strongly emphasised during the meeting.