Labaid Cancer Hospital & Super Speciality Centre, Managing Director Sakif Shamim: “Every innovation or policy we introduce is patient-first. It’s about giving people not just years to live, but a life worth living.”

Labaid Cancer Hospital & Super Specialty Centre is a pioneering institution at the forefront of cancer care in Bangladesh. Its story begins with a vision driven by urgent, very real needs observed by its Managing Director, Sakif Shamim. For far too long, families in Bangladesh have faced heartbreak not only because of cancer, but also from the extreme sacrifices required to seek advanced treatment—selling land, abandoning businesses, and splitting families as loved ones traveled abroad for care that was not available close to home. Witnessing these difficult choices inspired the foundation of a hospital that would remove these barriers and bring world- class cancer treatment within reach for every Bangladeshi, regardless of background or location. From the outset, the ambition for Labaid Cancer Hospital & Super Speciality Centre was not simply to establish another hospital. The goal was to create a trusted institution, one that would earn its reputation through consistent clinical outcomes, compassion, and a strong commitment to accessible care. This philosophy is embodied throughout the Labaid organization and serves as its guiding purpose. It was envisioned as a sanctuary where the fear of cancer meets the hope of recovery, where patients and families could find not just treatment but dignity, reassurance, and all sorts of support. The hospital was conceived to provide a comprehensive, integrated facility for cancer treatment—uniting early diagnosis, advanced therapies, ongoing rehabilitation, palliative care, and post-treatment support under one roof. It is home to 180 beds and a robust team of cancer specialists, each dedicated to using the best global protocols and medical technologies for every stage of care.

Beyond Labaid Cancer Hospital & Super Speciality Centre, Sakif Shamim’s leadership has extended into several innovative ventures that are reshaping healthcare access and essential services in Bangladesh. One such initiative is Lifeplus Bangladesh—a groundbreaking telemedicine platform launched at a time when the concept was still new to the country. Through Lifeplus, patients can access a wide range of services from the comfort of their homes, including video consultations with doctors, appointment booking, home sample collection, quick ambulance dispatch, home delivery of medicines, home nursing care, and more. This platform has significantly reduced the gap between patients and quality healthcare, especially for those living in remote or rural areas.

Sakif also established One Tap Ltd., an all-in-one service platform designed to meet virtually every need a client could have. From household necessities to specialized service requests, One Tap Ltd. offers solutions that cover A-to-Z, making it a truly comprehensive lifestyle support system.

In addition, his portfolio includes several other service-oriented enterprises under the Labaid umbrella: Labaid GPT—an AI-driven healthcare support tool designed to assist patients with accurate information and guidance; Prime Shine Ltd.—a professional cleaning service committed to hygiene and maintenance excellence; Alpha Force PLC—a premier security service ensuring safety for homes, offices, and institutions; and Virtue Care—a cutting-edge service that provides 3D visualizations of a patient’s internal organs to aid in diagnosis, treatment planning, and patient education. Together, these ventures demonstrate Sakif Shamim’s vision of building a service ecosystem that addresses multiple dimensions of modern living, from health to safety to convenience.

Labaid Cancer Hospital & Super Speciality Centre medical expertise spans the full cancer care spectrum. The hospital’s Radiation Oncology Department routinely employs advanced methods, such as Intensity- Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT), Image-Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT), Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRT), and Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy (SBRT). Medical Oncology and Hematology divisions are equipped for chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and hormonotherapy, delivering the latest treatment options to patients. Its Surgical Oncology team undertakes complex procedures, covering cancers of the head and neck, gastrointestinal system, breast, thorax, urological and gynecological systems, bone, soft tissue, and includes extensive capabilities in onco-reconstruction. Labaid’s infrastructure and specialists ensure patients receive individualized, multidisciplinary care, guided by both experience and innovation. Every case is reviewed with precision planning, often involving joint consultations between surgeons, oncologists, radiologists, and pathologists to ensure that treatment plans are not only medically sound but also tailored to the patient’s life circumstances and personal choices. Essential to Labaid Cancer Hospital & Super Speciality Centre comprehensive care model are its advanced diagnostic and support services. The hospital provides high-end imaging technologies such as

1.5 Tesla MRI, 128-slice CT scanning, PET CT, and digital mammography, which allow for early and precise disease assessment. Its in-house laboratory offers capabilities for histopathology, cytology, immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, and next-generation sequencing, all crucial for thorough and rapid diagnosis. Supporting these efforts, patients benefit from 24/7 pharmacy access and a sophisticated Blood Transfusion Center that streamlines both planned and emergency care. These services operate in close coordination, minimizing patient stress and maximizing the accuracy and speed of clinical decision-making. By integrating diagnosis, treatment, and supportive care in a seamless flow, the hospital eliminates unnecessary delays that can cost valuable time in a cancer patient’s journey.

Labaid Cancer Hospital & Super Speciality Centre leadership in technological adoption is another key distinguishing factor. The facility is equipped for 3D brachytherapy, interventional radiology, specialist pain management, and bone marrow transplantation, ensuring that patients can access the newest and most effective therapies as soon as they are globally available. The hospital houses units such as the Medical Physics Unit, Palliative Care Unit, and regularly convenes tumor boards so that patients consistently benefit from a true team approach, drawing from collective expertise while following the most updated international protocols. Yet advanced equipment alone is not enough. Labaid Cancer Hospital & Super Speciality Centre is deeply committed to holistic, patient-centric support. The hospital’s culture recognizes patients not as cases, but as people—respected individuals with families, emotions, and dreams. Its signature service, ‘Oporajoyee Abashon,’ stands out by providing affordable accommodation for patients and their families who come from outside Dhaka, removing a major source of stress and financial hardship. The hospital’s telemedicine initiatives further extend its expertise to remote and rural patients, ensuring that distance from the capital does not exclude anyone from quality treatment. The integration of mental health counseling, nutritional guidance, and physical rehabilitation into the care pathway underscores Labaid’s belief that recovery is not merely clinical—it is physical, emotional, and social. This philosophy shapes every part of the patient experience at Labaid. Each specialized cancer unit—serving breast, lung, oral, pediatric, and other cancers—is led by highly trained teams who work collaboratively to deliver continuous and coordinated care. Every patient journey is individualized, optimized, and supported by a multidisciplinary team that understands the importance of clinical, psychological, and social care.

Labaid Cancer Hospital & Super Speciality Centre foundation is part of a much larger vision set into motion by Dr. A M Shamim, a leader whose early recognition of the need for reliable diagnostics inspired the founding of LABAID Diagnostic. Over the years, LABAID has grown into one of Bangladesh’s most respected conglomerates, with business interests in healthcare, pharmaceuticals, finance, education, and agriculture. Still, the group remains rooted in healthcare as its core purpose, and Labaid Cancer Hospital & Super Speciality Centre embodies that vision more clearly than any other project to date. The group’s successful operation of the Labaid Cardiac Hospital established a national benchmark for cardiac care, and this expertise and commitment now underpin the cancer hospital’s daily operations. The legacy of Dr. A M Shamim is not merely about infrastructure— it is about setting a precedent for specialized, ethical, and patient-centered medical care in Bangladesh, and inspiring future generations to think beyond profit towards purpose.

Labaid Cancer Hospital & Super Speciality Centre is groundbreaking in Bangladesh for offering all major cancer interventions—chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, hormone therapy, gene therapy, and a suite of advanced radiotherapy techniques—within one facility. This unified approach means patients no longer need to travel from clinic to clinic, nor spend anxious months planning costly and disruptive trips out of the country. It shortens the treatment timeline, improves care coordination, and ensures that specialists are in constant communication regarding a patient’s progress. The hospital’s strong focus on affordability is vital: by offering modern cancer therapies at competitive costs, including cost-effective chemotherapy and radiotherapy, it widens access and allows more families to pursue advanced treatments without risking their futures. Affordability at Labaid is not a marketing term—it is an operational commitment backed by strategic procurement, in-house expertise, and philanthropic initiatives that keep costs transparent and manageable.

A fundamental reason for Labaid’s rapidly growing reputation is its outstanding team of caregivers: experienced medical, radiation, surgical, and gynecological oncologists, supported by skilled medical physicists, radiologists, pediatric oncologists, hemato-oncologists, and pathologists. The hospital provides a comprehensive set of facilities, from ICU and high- dependency units, eight advanced modular operating theaters, and a day care center to a dedicated dialysis unit, a palliative care and psychotherapy center, and round-the-clock emergency pharmacy. Each department is designed to meet the highest international standards. Regular peer reviews, performance audits, and continuous medical education programs ensure that this standard is not just met at launch but sustained year after year.

The hospital’s surgery and ICU departments are held up as national examples of best practice. Patient feedback is systematically gathered, analyzed, and acted upon—closing the loop between service delivery and patient expectations. By setting new benchmarks for patient- centric care and investing continuously in its people and technology, the hospital has become recognized not just as a top facility in Bangladesh, but as a true leader for the South Asian region. It is increasingly seen as a model for how specialized healthcare can thrive in developing nations while remaining accessible to diverse socio-economic groups.

Labaid Cancer Hospital & Super Specialty Centre represents a major milestone in healthcare. Its integrated, multidisciplinary model—centered on the needs of patients and families—fulfills a promise made to every Bangladeshi: that no one should ever have to cross borders in search of hope or healing from cancer. Through its compassionate leadership, state-of-the-art facilities, and relentless focus on outcomes, Labaid is already transforming what is possible for patients today and for generations to come. The hospital’s mission extends beyond treatment—it is to change the national narrative on cancer from one of fear and despair to one of resilience, innovation, and recovery.

In Conversation with Sakif Shamim, Managing Director of Labaid Cancer Hospital & Super Speciality Centre

Labaid Cancer Hospital & Super Speciality Centre is recognized as Bangladesh’s first comprehensive cancer care facility.How does this distinction influence your approach to patient care and innovation?

With that title comes immense responsibility. It means we must lead—not just in equipment or infrastructure, but in ethics, empathy, and excellence.

Being the first comprehensive cancer care hospital pushed us to set benchmarks. It influences our decision to have tumor boards, multidisciplinary care teams, and a zero-commission medical model. Every innovation or policy we introduce is patient-first. It’s about giving people not just years to live, but a life worth living.

You’ve introduced state-of-the-art technologies like LINAC-TrueBeam, HDR Brachytherapy, PET-CT, and Robotic Surgery. How do these advancements improve treatment outcomes and patient experience?

Technology saves lives when used right. TrueBeam LINAC allows precise targeting of tumors while minimizing damage to healthy tissue. PET-CT helps to detect cancer earlier and track treatment response with unmatched accuracy.

With robotic-assisted surgery, we now perform complex procedures with smaller incisions, less pain, and faster recovery. These tools let us treat aggressively but gently—and patients feel the difference.

Your hospital emphasizes affordability in advanced cancer treatment. How are you making cutting-edge therapies like radiotherapy and genome therapy accessible to a broader population?

We’re very intentional about cost. We do bulk equipment procurement, train local talent, and even offer interest-free EMI plans. For genome therapy, we partner with universities and research labs to lower testing costs.

We also allocate subsidized treatment slots and support from our social welfare fund. Our belief is that no one should be denied life-saving care because of their income bracket.

“Oporajoyee Abashon” is a unique initiative for patient and family accommodation. What inspired this offering, and how does it reflect Labaid Cancer Hospital & Super Speciality Centre commitment to holistic care?

The inspiration came from walking into our parking lot and seeing families sleeping in cars or on sidewalks. These were people who had traveled hundreds of kilometers but couldn’t afford Dhaka lodging.

So, we created Oporajoyee Abashon—a low-cost, dignified accommodation facility within walking distance of the hospital. It includes shared kitchens, spiritual corners, and quiet zones for rest. This wasn’t about ticking boxes—it was about honoring the human side of healing.

With specialized cancer units from breast and prostate to oral and ovarian cancer, how do you ensure the highest standard of expertise across such a diverse range of services?

We operate on a “departmental ownership” model. Each unit is led by a team that’s not just

skilled but specialized. They are responsible for training, protocols, and performance audits.

We also invest heavily in cross-border knowledge sharing. Many of our specialists train abroad and then conduct peer-led CME (continuing medical education) programs when they return. It

creates a culture where specialization is deep, but knowledge is shared horizontally. In short, we combine vertical specialization with horizontal collaboration, ensuring that every patient benefit from both deep expertise and holistic oversight.

Research and diagnosis appear central to your model. How is Labaid Cancer Hospital & Super Speciality Centre contributing to cancer research and accurate early detection within the region?

Research isn’t a side activity here—it’s integral. We’ve launched one of the country’s largest private cancer patient registries and are now in the early phases of developing a biobank. These will support longitudinal studies and help identify regional trends.

We also support academic research and publish outcome data that contributes to global oncology discussions. Early detection is a major focus—we’re working on low-cost screening tools that can be deployed in rural Bangladesh.

You’ve emphasized a patient-centric and ethical approach in healthcare. How is this philosophy embedded in your operational and clinical decisions every day?

Ethics shouldn’t be performative—it has to be embedded in your systems. That’s why we don’t offer financial incentives for tests or treatments. Consultants are free to refer patients for second opinions. We maintain transparent billing, and every patient is educated on their options, risks, and rights before treatment. From front desk to operating table, the idea is simple: treat the person, not just the disease.

Labaid Cancer Hospital & Super Speciality Centre plays a role in changing the perception that quality private cancer care is unaffordable. What challenges have you faced in breaking this barrier, and how have you overcome them?

Breaking that myth has been hard. Initially, people assumed our hospital was only for the elite. We had to prove otherwise—through transparency, results, and by showing up for all patient groups.

We actively tell real stories from real patients—not scripted ads, but genuine journeys. And when people walk in, they quickly see we’re serious about inclusivity. Our goal was never to serve a class; it was to serve a cause.

What does the future hold for your company and its customers? Are exciting things on the way?

Yes! We’re working on launching 20 cancer care extension centers across the country,especially in underserved districts. We’re also developing a cancer research and training

institute to shape the next generation of oncologists. We are going to establish Labaid Super Specialty Centre at the center of Dhaka within a short amount of time.

Sakif Shamim, Managing Director

“We maintain transparent billing, and every patient is educated on their options, risks, and rights before treatment. From front desk to operating table, the idea is simple: treat the person, not just the disease.”