Professor Mohammad Hannan, Head of the Department of Molecular and Cell Biology of Canadian Institute of Health Research, Ottawa said this in a scientific seminar on "Cancer Prevention and Control Strategies" organised jointly by Ahsania Mission Cancer Hospital, National Cancer Institute and Hospital and Bangladesh Scouts at Sams Hall of Bangladesh National Scouts Bhaban.

He also said that a regulated life could prevent cancer easily. Most of the people do not know that even chewing gum can also cause cancer and smoking is the main cause of many cancers. He gave emphasis on sufficient arrangements for proper diagnosis, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and memography along with research facilities. He specially gave importance on creating oncologists.

The seminar was presided over by Prof Dr M A Hadi, Director, Ahsania Mission Cancer Detection Centre and Hospital. M Fazlur Rahman, Chief, National Commissioner of Bangladesh Scouts, Dr Shah Mohammad Farid, former cabinet secretary and a good number of oncologists, doctors, nurses and other interested persons were present in the seminar.

Bangladesh has close to five crore less population in 2006 than predicted as a result of intervention on the fertility rate, scientists said this at function to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Matlab, a research outlet of ICDDR,B.

Leading scientists who started research with cholera four decades ago at Matlab (in Chandpur district) gathered recently at ICDDR,B headquarters in the city to celebrate 40 years of Matlab Health and Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS) that was aimed at improving public health through population based research.

Recalling some of the major contributions of 'Matlab Model', scientists at a press briefing said that Bangladesh has about four and a half crore less population in 2006 than forecasted due to intervention that reduced the fertility rate, a recommendation of ICDDR,B. They also said that research in Matlab has demonstrated that 63 per cent of child deaths are due to vaccine-preventable disease and can be lowered close to zero through effective immunisation campaigns.

The scientists who arrived in the city to share their memories of genesis of Matlab called it a 'place for source of innovations' for those who wish to perform community-based studies for policy implications.

Dr Henry Mosley, one of the first few scientists to perform research with Cholera in Matlab (then East Pakistan) in 1966 told reporters, "After successful lessons on Cholera research we soon realised that Matlab can also be used for many other health interventions since we had a ready data-base population." Dr Mosley continued, "We then re-designed Matlab's mission and since then (1966) Matlab turned out to be a place for population-based research for global policy making decisions on health prgramme."

Dr David A Sack, Executive Director of ICDDR,B said, "Our data of 225,000 lives collected from Matlab is recognised globally as a 'gold standard' for calculating life tables. This knowledge allows us to predict, burden of disease in Bangladesh, during end of this century the number of elderly people over 60 years will grow from 7 million now to 65 million during end of this century." He said, "We are taking the lead in conducting community-based studies to focus on the changing burden of non-communicable diseases like diabetes and cardio-vascular diseases in Bangladesh and its implications in the future health system."

Other scientists who also carried out research in Matlab at the beginning were also present on the occasion.

Meanwhile, to mark the occasion ICDDR,B rewarded ten partner states and development organisations in recognition of their support for Matlab research. Heads of the missions and representatives of some of the development partners (DPs) received the mementos from Dr David A Sack.

World kidney day is an annual event, which is observed on March 8 to raise awareness for prevention and to give appropriate treatment guideline for kidney diseases. This year's theme was "Kidney disease is common, harmful but treatable".

Kidney Foundation of Bangladesh organised a seminar to mark the day and to reveal the status of kidney disease in the country and strategy to prevent and treating thoblems. Adviser to the Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, In-Charge of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Water Resource and Religious affairs of the caretaker government Major Gen Dr A S M Motiur Rahaman (Rtd) was present as Chief guest while National Professor M R Khan, Kazi Akram Uddin Ahmed, Chairmen of Standard Bank were present as special guests.

The day began with a colourful rally followed by a seminar. In the inaugural speech, Secretary General of kidney foundation, Professor Md Muhibur Rahaman said that about 150 million people of our country are suffering from various kidney diseases and 20 to 30 thousand patients die every year. Majority of these affected people cannot afford the high treatment cost and die due to financial burden.

We can take only 5 percent of our patients under our existing treatment coverage. It is a matter of great regret that 75 percent patients have to stop their dialysis early due to high cost and all these factors make kidney treatment thorny.

Considering all theses things kidney foundation has undertaken some steps to serve the patients at low cost.

National Prof M R Khan told that there are many complications of kidney diseases and for treatment we need huge fund to serve our poor community. He urged donors to provide proper support and to make kidney treatment available to them who are fighting with their own kidney and money as well.

Kazi Akram Uddin Ahmed, Chairmen of Standard Bank told that they have social responsibility to the society and they will work together with kidney foundation and will provide all support to the patients.

President of the kidney foundation Prof Harun Ur Rashid mentioned that treatment of kidney diseases needs costly machine and drugs for long time. So it is better for us to stress on prevention strategy.

Diabetes and hypertension are major causes of kidney disease and many of our people do not know it and do not take special attention upon their kidney while having these disease.

Kidney Foundation have been running their functions very effectively and they have transplanted kidney on 19 patients successfully and performing dialysis at least one patient in every week.

22nd Congress of Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology (APOA) was held from February 24-28 in Lahore, Pakistan.

Dr Ashraful Karim Khan alias Dr A K Khan has been awarded the "Prevention of Blindness Award" for his outstanding services in preventive ophthalmology in the Asia-Pacific region in the congress.

After completion of higher degree in the Europe, Dr Khan started his professional life in the remote area of Jamalpur district in 1985. He set up a 10-bed eye clinic named "Dristiseba o Gobesona" with all modern OPD and OT facilities there.

Dr Khan is currently working as an Associate Professor of Ophthalmology at Gonobishawbidyalay. In addition to teaching of students, he is also working as the in-charge of eye department of two hospitals of Gonosastho Kendro.

Dr Khan has been organising training and discussion on development of awareness about eye care in the community since 1991 in Jamalpur, Sherpur, Sirajgonj and Dhaka districts. He trained so far 1300 primary school headmasters, 240 secondary school headmasters, 480 government health workers, 800 Imams of mosque, NGO workers from BRAC (50), World Vision (100), Gonosastho Kendra (400), Unnayan Sangha (50) and 40 medical assistants.

Besides training, he distributed about 20000 copies of his book on eye care "Chokher Jotno" among the trainees, Union Parisod members, district education officers, different district libraries and library of different medical colleges.

Dr Khan also organised 23 mini eye camps and delivered eye care to about 7000 poor people free of cost.

Dr Khan's most innovative service in eye care is providing interest free loan at low rate for the low income group for cataract surgery in the remote Jamalpur district. This easy installment loan without any guarantor is realised very helpful for the poor eye patients and the result is very encouraging.

Dr Khan presented a study paper entitled "Micro credit IOL cataract surgery: My experience and new dimension in Bangladesh" at the annual scientific conference of Ophthalmology Society of Bangladesh (OSB) in 2006. This is known to be the first of its kind study in Bangladesh.