Please take part in building a world class cancer hospital by purchasing a 10-taka ticket of Ahsania Mission Cancer Hospital Lottery. Dhaka Ahsania Mission (DAM) President Kazi Rafiqul Alam said this while addressing a press conference held on the occasion of launching of Ahsania Mission Cancer Hospital Lottery-2010 at Dhanmondi Mission Bhaban auditorium in the city on Thursday, 24 December 2009. Former secretary and Ahsania Mission Cancer Hospital Adviser Mohammad Ali, DAM Adviser Dr. M. Khalilullah and educationist Prof Nurul Islam also spoke on the occasion. Kazi Rafiqul Alam further said, Ahsania Mission Cancer Hospital Lottery-2010 is being launched for second time on 1 January 2010 to raise fund for construction of a world class 500-bed cancer hospital. Total value of 1,298 prizes of lottery is Tk 50 lac while its first prize is Tk 30 lac, second prize (one) Tk 5 lac, third prize (one) Tk 70,000, fourth prize (two) Tk 20,000 each, fifth prize (three) Tk 10,000 each, sixth prize (five) Tk 5,000 each, seventh prize (50) Tk 2,000 each, and eighth prize (1235) Tk 1,000 each. Draw will be held on 23 March 2010.

DAM has embarked upon the project in 1994 and taken various steps for its implementation. Bangladesh Government allotted land for the gigantic project in 1997. Since then government and people from all walks of life have come forward in its successful implementation. DAM conducted first Ahsania Mission Cancer Hospital Lottery in 2005. It has earned a net profit of Tk 3 crore by creating a record in history of lottery. The entire amount has been spent in construction of the hospital.

It was really amazing to observe that people from all walks of life have spontaneously contributed towards the noble venture. As for example, a housewife has donated Tk 500 by saving from her family expenses. A group of schoolchildren contributed tiffin money. A primary teacher has donated one month's salary. Even a rickshaw-puller has given Tk 20 by money order. There are so many examples. Amazing indeed! Besides, many industrialists, bankers and owners of business establishments have also donated for the noble cause.

Work on 13-storied hospital having 38,840 square feet area excluding two basements is being built on its own land at Sector-10 in Uttara, Dhaka. The total cost of construction is Tk 256 crore. Unabated donation of people from all walks of life is on. The hospital will be run on 'no profit no loss' basis while 30 percent poor and distressed patients will be provided treatment for free.

A further amount of Tk 22 crore is now required to commission the hospital primarily by the end of next year. We appeal to people from all walks of life including corporate sector to buy lottery tickets. Till now an amount of Tk 110 crore 24 lac has come as donation. Of them, Tk 15 crore from health ministry, Tk 10 crore from social welfare ministry, Tk 17 crore 35 lac from individual donation, 14 crore 45 lac from corporate sector and Tk 2 crore 99 lac from earning of Ahsania Mission Cancer Hospital Lottery-2005.

Besides, social welfare ministry has committed to donate Tk 39 crore, individuals have committed Tk 2 crore 45 lac and corporate sector has committed to donate Tk 4 crore. It is expected, related work up-to 6th floor will be completed by end of 2010 and the hospital will be ready for commissioning to render healthcare service to patients at primary stage.