Grameen Kalyan Launches Free Cervical and Breast Cancer Screening Initiative

• Miscellaneous
• 23rd April 2026
• YC

DHAKA, April 23, 2026:

Grameen Kalyan recently launched a healthcare initiative providing 20,000 completely free cervical and clinical breast cancer screenings to underprivileged women across Bangladesh. 

The pilot project, which began on April 19, 2026, specifically targets married women between the ages of 30 and 60 who have been married for over 10 years, bringing life-saving preventative care directly to underserved communities.

Professor Muhammad Yunus, founder of Grameen Kalyan, welcomed the initiative, saying, "A mother is the heart of her family, yet thousands of families face devastating emotional and financial tragedies each year due to unnoticed, preventable diseases. This initiative ensures that marginalized communities receive world-class oncological care right at their doorsteps."

The screening program operates through strategic collaborations with internationally recognized medical institutions, including the Oncology Club (Bangladesh), the Elekta Foundation (Sweden), and Global Health Catalyst (UK). 

Distinguished oncology specialists are directly involved in the screening process, including Dr. Shahana Pervin, Professor; Dr. Rumana Afroz, Assistant Professor; Dr. Farhana Haque, Assistant Professor; Dr. Sumita Sarker, Consultant; and Dr. Sadia Jabin Khan, Gynecological Oncology Specialist.

The initiative introduces advanced Human Papillomavirus (HPV) testing technology, positioning Grameen Kalyan as a pioneer in private-sector early cancer detection. Screenings are currently available at designated centers in the Savar region, including the Suapur Health Center and the Grameen Kalyan Rajnagar Health Center in Singair, Manikganj.

To support the program, Grameen Kalyan has established a state-of-the-art Molecular Lab in Savar, providing subsidized PCR tests for Influenza A & B, COVID-19, Chlamydia & Gonorrhea, Tuberculosis, and Thalassemia, among others.

A K M Moinuddin Chowdhury, Managing Director of Grameen Kalyan, said, "Through this initiative, we are bringing life-saving, world-class cancer care directly to marginalized communities. We are on a mission to transform healthcare in Bangladesh at the primary, secondary, and tertiary levels—ensuring affordable, quality care and well-being services reach unreached communities at the bottom of the pyramid."

Established in 1996 as a Social Business following Professor Muhammad Yunus's vision, Grameen Kalyan operates 153 community-based health centers across 38 districts in rural Bangladesh. The organization serves approximately 750,000 rural residents annually through comprehensive medical services, conducting 5.8 million domiciliary health checks, 130,000 ultrasound scans, 500,000 pathology tests, and 30,000 doctor consultations.

Under Vision 2030, Grameen Kalyan plans to establish 300 advanced primary healthcare centers and model secondary care hospitals across all 64 districts, aiming to serve 1.5 million people annually through 15.6 million home-based health screenings.

Grameen Kalyan's Health Assistants

Domiciliary visit by Grameen Kalyan Health Assistants

Grameen Kalyan Suapur Health Center

Atharabari Health center Mymensingh

GK Health assistants going for a field visit

GK Uchakhila Health Center, Mymensingh

Grameen Kalyan, Kuchiamora Health Center, Bheramara, Kushtia

Grameen Kalyan, Atharobari Health Center, Ishwarganj, Mymensingh

Distinguished gynecological oncology specialists and other trained doctors are directly involved in the screening process, including (from left to right) Dr Shamim Ara Khanom, Medical Officer, Grameen Kalyan,  Dr. Sadia Jabin Khan, Gynecological Oncology Specialist, Dr. Sumita Sarker, Consultant, NICRH, Dr. Rumana Afroz, Assistant Professor and Dr. Farhana Haque, Assistant Professor, Gynecological Oncology department at NICRH