Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) Mayor Dr. Shahadat Hossain has said that colorectal cancer is a preventable disease and that if detected at an early stage, nearly 90 percent of patients have a chance of recovery. He emphasized that awareness and regular screening are essential.
He made these remarks at a press conference held on Saturday at the CCC conference room, marking the closing of “Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month – March 2026.”
The Mayor said that March is observed globally as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. In line with this, Chattogram City Corporation, CSCR Hospital, and PGS Academia jointly organized month-long awareness activities and screening programs across the city under the theme “Early Detection Saves Lives.”
He said, various landmarks in the city were illuminated in blue under the symbolic “Blue March” campaign to raise public awareness. Active participation from print, online, and electronic media further expanded the reach of the campaign.
Dr. Shahadat Hossain said that this is the first time in Bangladesh that a city corporation has implemented such a large-scale coordinated colorectal cancer awareness program, marking a significant milestone in the public health sector.
Under the program, up to 50 percent discounts were provided on key diagnostic tests, including colonoscopy and stool occult blood tests at CSCR Hospital, which encouraged greater public participation.
According to the press briefing, a total of 2,157 patients were registered at CSCR Hospital. Among them, 1,749 received free medical consultations, while 813 availed discounted diagnostic services.
CCC Mayor said that many people delay treatment due to lack of awareness and fear, which often leads to complications. The initiative was taken to change this situation through early detection and awareness.
He also announced that due to the rising prevalence of measles, Chattogram City Corporation will launch a vaccination campaign from April 20 to May 20 targeting children aged 5 to 59 months. Around 300,000 children in the CCC area will be covered under this program, and preparations have already been completed.
The Mayor saif that CCC aims to develop Chattogram as a “Healthy City.” Along with infrastructure development, the focus remains on public health awareness and expanding preventive healthcare services.
He said such health awareness programs will continue in the future and urged citizens to undergo regular health check-ups. “Let us all become aware and help others become aware, because early detection saves lives,” he added.
Those present at the press conference included CCC Chief Executive Officer and Secretary Mohammad Ashraful Amin; Chairman of CSCR (Pvt.) Ltd. Dr. Khurshid Jamil Chowdhury; Managing Director Dr. Morshedul Karim Chowdhury; Chairman of PGS Academia Professor Dr. Khandaker A.K. Azad; CCC Chief Health Officer Dr. Imam Hossain Rana; Diagnostic Director of CSCR Professor Dr. M.A. Kasem; General Secretary of PGS Academia Dr. Md. Ahsanul Abedin; Consultant Dr. Saiful Islam Raju; and COO of CSCR Dr. Salauddin Mahmud.
