Global leaders in Bio-Banking stress the crucial significance of setting up an international standard Bio-Bank in Bangladesh, acknowledging the nation’s capacity to host such a facility. This initiative is expected to open up new avenues of possibilities in the field of medical research.
“We cordially welcome the distinguished individuals and organizations present here to form a comprehensive strategic collaboration with us and make a long-term commitment towards the enhancement of the health and well-being of millions of citizens in Bangladesh and beyond.”
– Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina
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In this context, on Tuesday (2024), Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina articulated a compelling vision for Bangladesh’s healthcare future. In a video message at the roundtable ‘Bio-Banking with Bangladesh: A joint approach to disease management and prevention’ held in Brussels. The premier highlighted the significance of this initiative in propelling innovations and discoveries in medical and life sciences within the country. She emphasized the need for a robust Bio-Bank with reliable clinical data infrastructure. She expressed her hopes for the Bio-Bank to become a symbol of optimism, leading to a better and healthier world.
“We have undertaken various measures to introduce state-of-the-art facilities in the medical sector,”
– Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina
In recent years, Bangladesh has made commendable progress in clinical care, medical education, and research in recent years with the establishment of a number of medical universities and institutions.
What is the purpose of the Biobank?
Bio-Banks play a pivotal role in biomedical and health research across academic, non-commercial, and commercial domains, contributing substantial value to their users. These repositories store biological samples intricately associated with essential patient information, such as health records, family history, lifestyle details, and genetic data.
The primary objective of a Bio-Bank is to furnish samples for diverse studies. Many of these studies are geared towards enhancing our comprehension of how an individual’s genetic makeup (DNA) may impact their overall health and well-being. For instance, certain investigations concentrate on pinpointing genetic alterations that could influence the risk of developing cancer.
The term Bio-Bank emerged in the late 1990s, undergoing significant evolution in recent years. One definition characterizes it as “an organized collection of human biological material and associated information stored for one or more research purposes.” While the term may extend to include plant, animal, microbe, and other nonhuman materials, discussions often reserve it specifically for human specimens.
Typically, Bio-Banks feature cryogenic storage facilities, varying in size from individual refrigerators to expansive warehouses. These facilities are maintained by diverse institutions, including hospitals, universities, nonprofit organizations, and pharmaceutical companies.
Bio-banks are categorized based on purpose and design. Disease-oriented biobanks, often affiliated with hospitals, collect samples representing various diseases to explore associated biomarkers. In contrast, population-based biobanks, not tied to specific hospitals, gather samples from a diverse population to investigate biomarkers for disease susceptibility.
Virtual Bio-Banks integrate epidemiological cohorts into a shared pool, enabling sample collection to comply with national regulations. Tissue banks, which harvest and store human tissues for transplantation and research, are expected to merge with Bio-Banks as these entities become more established. Population banks store biomaterial along with associated characteristics like lifestyle, clinical, and environmental data.
In 2008, US researchers stored 270 million specimens in Bio-Banks, with a yearly collection rate of 20 million. This marked a significant global shift in research, transitioning from a time when such extensive sample usage was impractical to a new era with increased demand. As a result, researchers faced challenges related to ethical, legal, and social considerations, addressing issues such as the fairness of collecting donations from vulnerable populations, informed consent, data disclosure logistics, intellectual property ownership, and donor privacy and security. This necessitated the establishment of new systems for research governance.
Recognizing Biob-Banking as a crucial area for infrastructure development, many researchers advocate for its expansion to promote advancements in drug discovery and development.
Remarkable Journey in Healthcare
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina acknowledged Bangladesh’s commendable progress in clinical care, medical education, and research. The establishment of numerous medical universities and institutions reflects the country’s commitment to advancing its healthcare sector. Additionally, with about 18,500 community clinics and health centers at the rural level, Bangladesh has taken significant strides in fulfilling its constitutional and global obligation to provide universal health coverage.
Challenges and Opportunities
Despite the progress, Sheikh Hasina recognized a substantial obstacle hindering Bangladesh’s representation in broader medical research – the absence of a robust biobank infrastructure. She highlighted the critical need for translational research capacity, asserting that the development of a world-class biobank is imperative for the country.
BSMMU’s Role in Hosting the Bio-Bank
Pointing to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University as a focal point, Sheikh Hasina expressed confidence in its capacity to host the biobank. The university, with a 2650-bed hospital, eight faculties, 68 departments, and about 500 faculty members, stands as a testament to Bangladesh’s commitment to healthcare excellence.
Beyond Financial Contributions
The Prime Minister emphasized that contributing to the biobank goes beyond a financial decision. It is a humanitarian endeavor, symbolizing hope for a world where everyone has access to quality healthcare. Sheikh Hasina asserted that such contributions represent the preservation of life, the safeguarding of families, and the empowerment of a nation, contributing to overall research capacity regionally.
Conclusion
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s call for a global standard national Bio-Bank in Bangladesh marks a pivotal moment in the nation’s healthcare journey. As stakeholders unite in strategic collaboration, the vision of a bio-bank becomes a beacon of hope for a healthier and better world. The establishment of this biobank is not just a scientific milestone but a testament to Bangladesh’s commitment to the well-being of its citizens and global advancements in healthcare.
