News Flash
DHAKA, April 17, 2025 (BSS) - Bangladesh Medical University (BMU) Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Md Shahinul Alam today said the hemophilia center at the university will be upgraded to a comprehensive care center using a multidisciplinary approach.
He revealed this plan at a ceremony marking World Hemophilia Day-2025 on the university campus, jointly organized by the Hematology Society of Bangladesh and the Hemophilia Society of Bangladesh, said a press release.
Opening the rally, the Vice Chancellor said the main purpose of observing Hemophilia Day is to increase public awareness.
Underscoring the need of eliminating the prejudices in society about hemophilia, a bleeding disorder, he emphasized on ensuring that medical services should be made available to hemophilia patients alongside ensuring accessibility of medicines.
"Above all, the knowledge gained through research must be utilized to ensure proper medical services for hemophilia patients," he added.
The celebration of the day began with a rally in the morning. The BMU vice-chancellor inaugurated the ceremony by releasing balloons. The rally began from Bat Tala and ended at D Block of the BMU campus.
Speaking on the occasion, BMU Pro Vice Chancellor (Research and Development), Professor Dr. Md. Mujibur Rahman Hawlader, emphasized the importance of focusing on the prevention and early diagnosis of hemophilia.
"Many patients visit different departments within the dental faculty due to bleeding gums, unaware that they may actually be suffering from hemophilia," he said, mentioning the need for awareness building on it.
Treasurer Professor Dr. Nahreen Akhtar said hemophilia, a bleeding disorder, can affect not only men but also women. "Therefore, we need to be more aware of this issue," she said.
She added, "If we can ensure that the blood factors needed for hemophilia treatment, including blood plasma, are available, the death rate in this disease will decrease."
The President of the Hematology Society of Bangladesh (HSB) Professor Dr. Amin Lutful Kabir, Chairman of the Hematology Department of BMU Professor Dr. Md. Rafiquzzaman Khan, President of the Hemophilia Society of Bangladesh Nazmul Alam, and General Secretary Abu Sayeed Arif also spoke with HSB General Secretary Dr Md. Adnan Hasan Masud in the chair.
The speakers emphasized on increasing public awareness about hemophilia and all bleeding disorders, rapid and accurate diagnosis, and appropriate treatment.
They mentioned that there are 4,000 patients identified by the Hemophilia Society in Bangladesh and said that if the government takes an initiative to identify hemophilia patients, this number will actually be 5 to 6 times higher.
They also demanded increasing the number of beds in BMU for hemophilia treatment and ensuring government cooperation in eliminating the insufficiency of blood factor 8, factor 9, and blood plasma for hemophilia treatment.
On the occasion of the day, Hematology Society of Bangladesh, in collaboration with Roche Bangladesh Limited, organized a roundtable meeting at Dhaka Club.
They also organized a scientific session at the same venue to mark the day.
