A day-long awareness program on breast cancer and special health concessions have been announced for women’s health protection under the joint initiative of Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) and BIRDEM General Hospital.
The event titled ‘Save The Smile: Breast Cancer Awareness Program’ was held Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at the University’s Student-Teacher Center (TSC) auditorium. The main objective of this event, which was attended by about a thousand students, was to create awareness about breast cancer prevention and ensure special health concessions at BIRDEM General Hospital for all students of Dhaka University, their mothers and sisters, teachers and staff.
Under this special initiative, BIRDEM General Hospital has announced that primary breast screening is completely free. Breast ultrasonography is also available for Tk 1,000 instead of Tk 1,500 and breast mammogram is available for Tk 1,500 instead of Tk 2,500. This special discount facility will be valid until November 10, 2025 and will be applicable to all students, teachers and staff of Dhaka University.
Dhaka University Pro-Vice Chancellor (Education) Professor Dr. Saima Haque Bidisha was present as the chief guest at the event. She stressed on creating health awareness throughout the society and said that women sometimes hide health problems due to shame, fear or shyness, which complicates the problem. She said that such risks can be avoided if eating habits, regular lifestyle and health awareness are followed. She also assured of improving the quality of medical services by stating that the infrastructural development work of Dhaka University Medical Center is underway with the cooperation of Turkey.
The special guests included the university’s Assistant Proctor Shehreen Amin Monami, Director General (DG) of BIRDEM General Hospital Professor Dr. Mirza Mahbub Hasan, President of BIRDEM Officers Association Dr. Morshed Uddin Akand, and General Secretary Dr. Md. Anwarul Islam.
In the main discussion of the program, Professor Sharmistha Roy, Assistant Professor Dr. Masuda Jaya and Assistant Professor Dr. Hasina Alam of the Department of Surgery of BIRDEM General Hospital gave thematic presentations on the social taboo of breast cancer, methods of early detection, what to do and the progress of medical facilities at the domestic level. The speakers at the seminar said that every year about 6,800 women die of breast cancer in Bangladesh, but if detected at an early stage, it is possible to cure it through treatment.
DUCSU Vice President Abu Sadiq Kayem said, “We have set a milestone through this event. This is the first open breast cancer awareness event at Dhaka University. Just as the July Revolution started from Dhaka University and spread across the country, this message of breast cancer awareness will also spread throughout the society. We want to work more intensively on the physical and mental health of women. Our goal is that students can find DUCSU as a family in any personal or family problem.”
DUCSU General Secretary S. M. Farhad said, “I sincerely thank the BIRDEM authorities for today’s significant event and special discount initiative. Along with first aid training, work is also underway to exterminate bedbugs in 18 halls. The work of installing AC in the reading rooms of two girls’ halls is in progress. Many hall parliaments are struggling to start work as the university administration has not yet explained the responsibilities of DUCSU. We are taking a strict stance on controlling outsiders and drugs.”
Abdullah Al Minhaj, Secretary of Health and Environment at DUCSU, said, “Today’s program is a historic step in creating awareness about breast cancer. The enthusiasm and participation of the students is our inspiration for the future.”
The program was hosted by DUCSU Health and Environment Secretary Abdullah Al Minhaj and Executive Member Umma Uswatun Rafia. Participants were given T-shirts, notepads, key rings, and lunch souvenirs. At the end of the program, the program was officially concluded by handing over souvenirs to the honoured guests.
