Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain congratulated and thanked Brac University for launching a Master of Science in Medical Physics program on Monday, citing that the government was on its way to purchase 17 medical linear accelerators.
A medical linear accelerator is a machine used in external beam radiation therapy to destroy cancer cells by delivering high-energy X-rays or electrons to tumors while sparing surrounding healthy tissue.
Moreover, eight cancer hospitals will be established in eight divisions; the number of beds at upazila hospitals would be increased to 151 and one “family well-being center” will be established for every three wards for basic healthcare screenings, he said.
Addressing the launch of the master’s program at Brac University, Vice-Chancellor Professor Syed Ferhat Anwar said the university always works for human well-being and with the government to take the country forward.
Giving an overview of the program, its coordinator, Professor Hasin Anupama Azhari of the Department of Mathematics and Physical Sciences (MPS) at Brac University, explained that it applies the principles of physics and engineering to the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease.
Comprising four semesters and 48 credits, the two-year program focuses on radiation oncology, diagnostic imaging, nuclear medicine and radiation protection, ensuring the safe and effective use of advanced medical technologies, she said.
The curriculum is of international standards, making use of clinical and laboratory-based education in dosimetry, treatment planning, medical imaging, quality assurance and research, she added.
Moreover, Square Hospitals Ltd has agreed to provide the program’s students access to clinical equipment, she said.
Professor Dr Jalal Uddin Mohammad Rumi, director (administration) of the Directorate General of Health Services, cited how medical physicists were an integral part of his practice as a brain surgeon, identifying specific parts of the brain to treat epilepsy.
The Heidelberg University in Germany has expressed keen interest to collaborate with Brac University in this program, said Professor Emeritus Dr AFM Yusuf Haider of the University of Dhaka, also an adviser to the program.
This program’s introduction represents Brac University’s commitment to advancing postgraduate education, promoting interdisciplinary research and developing skilled professionals in this important field, said Professor Hasibun Naher, chairperson of the MPS department.
Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Arshad Mahmud Chowdhury, Registrar Dr David Dowland, Professor Dr Golam Abu Zakaria, former director and chief medical physicist of Gummersbach University Hospital and the program’s adviser and coordinator; Dr Md Toufiq Hasan Firoz, director of a project on the establishment of the integrated cancer, kidney and heart treatment centers Across Bangladesh’s eight divisional cities, Professor Dr. Mostafa Aziz Sumon, director of the National Institute of Cancer Research and Hospital, Dhaka; and Professor Dr Syed Md Akram Hussain, chairman of the Department of Clinical Oncology at Bangladesh Medical University.
The launch of the MSc in Medical Physics program advances several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure).
