Labaid plans 30 satellite cancer hospitals across Bangladesh, develops AI LUNA to make healthcare smarter

The Labaid Group is developing AI-based healthtech solutions and plans to establish 30 satellite cancer centres across Bangladesh to usher in a more precise healthcare. In an interview with The Business Standard, Sakif Shamim, managing director of Labaid Cancer Hospital and Super Speciality Centre, discussed the hospital's current and future initiatives. The interview was conducted by Sharier Khan, senior executive editor of TBS.

How did you get involved in this business?

I am the managing director of Labaid Cancer Hospital and Super Speciality Centre, and deputy managing director of Labaid Group. My father, Dr AM Shamim, is a doctor, the founder chairman, and the managing director of Labaid Group. He started the business in the 1980s, and it has since become a family enterprise. I represent the second generation of leadership and have learned the business directly under his guidance.

I joined Labaid in 2011, beginning my career with Labaid Pharmaceuticals. The factory was just starting its operations then, and I was involved from the construction phase as a business associate. After three years, I worked as executive general manager at Labaid Cardiac Hospital, then moved to Labaid Specialised Hospital, and later became executive director of Labaid Group. In 2020, I co-founded Labaid Cancer Hospital and Super Speciality Centre and Labaid Chattogram Hospital, where I continue to serve from their foundation stage.

Tell us about this hospital and its unique features

Bangladesh has a significant gap in cancer care. We realised that there was no comprehensive facility providing all cancer services under one roof. That's how the idea of a dedicated cancer hospital came to life.

Initially, we faced many challenges and discouragements, as many thought it was a risky investment. But after our success with Labaid Cardiac Hospital – which has reduced the need for patients to go abroad for heart treatment – we decided to take on this mission.

Our hospital provides end-to-end cancer care, from diagnosis to palliative and even end-of-life care. We have advanced diagnostic tools like immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, and a genomic lab, alongside state-of-the-art surgical centres, gastro, and breast centres. Treatment is provided organ-wise, including gynaecological oncology, breast cancer, and lung cancer – a structure rarely found in Bangladesh.

Our success rate is phenomenal. The five-year survival rate is around 65% for lung, liver, and breast cancers – comparable to international standards. Our doctors follow global treatment protocols, and the hospital is Joint Commission International (JCI) accredited. It's also the only LEED Gold Certified hospital in Bangladesh.

How many patients have received treatment so far?

Over the last four and a half years, we have provided treatment to approximately 5,00,000 to 6,00,000 patients.

One of the key qualities of a good hospital is its focus on research, findings and development. What kind of research is conducted at your hospital?

We conduct various clinical trials in collaboration with pharmaceutical companies and organise major cancer conferences every year. One or two research papers are published annually. We are currently researching hypofractionated breast radiation therapy and PSMA PET scans for prostate cancer.

As our hospital generates a large volume of treatment data, we continuously analyse treatment efficacy, explore new techniques, and publish research findings in international journals.

What are the challenges facing private healthcare in Bangladesh?

The biggest challenges are policy and financial constraints.

Private hospitals now provide around 65% of the country's total hospital beds, yet the bank interest rate of 15-16% makes it very difficult to sustain. A 200-bed cancer hospital requires an investment of approximately Tk500 crore, and it takes 8-10 years just to break even.

This sector needs long-term, low-interest financing, tax holidays, and duty waivers. Around 99% of medical equipment and reagents are import-dependent, yet these face high taxes and duties. Although the government recently reduced duties on some "life-saving products," more needs to be done.

Moreover, starting a hospital requires 43 different approvals – from the Drug Authority, Rajuk, Fire Service, and Department of Environment – which together take three to four years. Even obtaining a trade licence takes 20 days, and company registration takes a month.

You are taking many new initiatives in the IT field and introducing AI innovations. Tell us more about these

We have launched a company called Labaid Artificial Intelligence, under which two platforms – VirtuCare BD and Life Plus Bangladesh – are operating.

Life Plus has been one of Bangladesh's top 360-degree healthtech platforms for the past seven years, with around 5,00,000 users.

We have developed our own large language model using 6-7 million datasets. From this, two products have been created: Labaid GPT and Luna.

Labaid GPT is an AI-based second opinion system for doctors. By uploading patient reports, physicians can receive analytical insights on tumours or other complexities. It's already in use at our hospital and will soon be launched for consumers.

Luna is a personal AI assistant designed for professionals across industries. It can provide advice on various fields – including medical recommendations when necessary.

Labaid's AI team has already filed eight patents, each around 70-80 pages long. These are currently under review in international journals. If approved, we could be the first in the world to launch such innovations.

Who develops these AI solutions?

Our own local developers are building these technologies, supported by a few international professors and researchers as advisers. The Labaid AI team currently has around 40 specialists, developing software solutions not only for Bangladesh but also for global markets such as the Middle East, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Thailand, Vietnam, and Laos.

Tell us about the Virtual Hospital programme you are planning to launch

We are developing a Virtual Hospital using augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR) for medical training, surgical simulation, and emergency practice. It will be a platform where a trainee can perform virtual operations, and the entire medical community can be connected.

What are your future plans?

Looking ahead, Labaid plans to set up 30 satellite cancer centres nationwide to provide chemotherapy and radiation services. Additionally, the company will build a 750-bed multi- and super-speciality hospital in Dhaka's Purbachal.

To develop skilled professionals to operate these hospitals, Labaid is in talks with Singapore General Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Mount Sinai, New York, for technical and training support.