London Bangla A Force for the community…
By Emdad Rahman
The humanitarian charity Bancat has unveiled Bangladesh’s first-ever family oriented cancer care home in Singair, Manikganj. This trailblazing service has been created to support patients who, in the final phase of life, are too often left without meaningful family care due to social, emotional, or financial barriers.
Built on globally recognised care models, the facility ensures that individuals facing terminal illness receive holistic, dignified, and compassionate support on par with world class institutions abroad. The initiative seeks to close a critical gap in Bangladesh, where specialised cancer hospitals are scarce and post discharge residential care options remain almost non existent.
At a Meet the Press & Dinner gathering in East London, community leaders and guests hailed the venture as a landmark step in humanitarian service. Speakers highlighted that countless cancer patients in Bangladesh endure suffering in isolation, caused by both the absence of specialised homes and limited family caregiving resources.
The event was chaired by Friends of Bancat Convener Maksud Khan Babul and anchored by journalist Nazrul Islam Bashon. Among the attendees and speakers were:
• Nazmus Ahmed Albab, Founder & Executive Director of Bancat
• Suhel Khan, Chairman of Beanibazar Cancer & General Hospital
• Shahab Uddin Ahmed, CEO of Beanibazar Cancer & General Hospital
• Former Mayors Cllr Parvez Ahmed (Brent) and Cllr Serwan Chowdhury (Croydon)
• Oli Khan, President of the British Curry Association (BCA)
• Taysir Mahmud, Secretary of the London Bangla Press Club
The guest speakers were joined by respected community figures, journalists, and professionals.
Nazmus Ahmed Albab, Founder & Executive Director of Bankat, said: “Through this initiative we want to give cancer patients in Bangladesh the dignity, compassion, and comfort they deserve in their most difficult days. Our vision is to create a model of care that brings families, communities, and professionals together to support those who should never be left to suffer in silence.”
Shahab Uddin Ahmed, CEO of Beanibazar Cancer & General Hospital, remarked: “Bancat’s initiative marks a turning point in how Bangladesh approaches cancer care. By focusing on dignity and holistic support, this project helps fill a gap that has been overlooked for far too long.”
Hafsa Islam, Editor of London Features, commented: “This project embodies a new standard of care and compassion. Bancat’s vision offers dignity and comfort to patients who would otherwise face their hardest moments alone. It is a model of humanity that deserves global recognition and community backing.”
This transformative initiative represents a healthcare project and a compassionate call to action. Bancat calls on philanthropists, well wishers, and concerned citizens worldwide to help shape a sustainable, compassionate system of cancer care for Bangladesh.
