Cancer continues to be a significant global health challenge, with approximately 70% of cancer-related deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). In South Asia, where healthcare resources are limited, the need for trained medical professionals in cancer care is urgent. The South Asia Centre for Medical Physics and Cancer Research (SCMPCR), a non-profit organization under the Alo Bhubon Trust, has been at the forefront of addressing this issue through hands-on training programs aimed at improving cancer treatment and advancing medical physics practices in the region.

Since its establishment in 2018, SCMPCR has organized several internationally accredited hands-on workshops, offering practical training in areas such as computed tomography, dosimetry, treatment planning, radiation oncology, and modern radiotherapy quality assurance, among others. These workshops typically last from three to five days and provide valuable lectures, hands-on training, and practice opportunities for participants. Participants also earn Continuous Professional Development (CPD) Points through written exams, further enhancing their qualifications. These workshops, held in collaboration with leading international experts and institutions from Bangladesh, China, Germany, India, Japan, Canada, Belgium, and the USA, have provided essential skills to over 245 medical physicists and healthcare professionals from South Asian countries including Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.

The training sessions have made a significant impact on enhancing early detection, diagnosis, and treatment capabilities in resource-limited settings. By blending advanced technical training with practical solutions tailored to local conditions, SCMPCR’s programs are empowering a growing workforce of skilled professionals. This approach ensures the delivery of high-quality cancer care, even in the most constrained environments. By fostering self-sufficiency and advancing local expertise, SCMPCR’s efforts align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 3 and SDG 4), contributing to lasting improvements in health and education across South Asia.

SCMPCR organizes a series of the International Organization of Medical Physics (IOMP) and the European Board for Accreditation in Medical Physics (EBAMP) accredited hands-on workshops (2-3 per year) in collaboration with the several national and international organization and hospitals for cancer care team (Doctors, Medical Physicists, Nurses, and other providers). Hands-on training is more practical based and very interactive so that participants from different countries can update their knowledge in recent technologies and can make them prepared for the certification process. This training program is done in hospitals (practical) and SCMPCR training room (lectures, examination) with experts’ trainers from abroad These programs are supervised and funded by the German Academic Exchange program DAAD through mutual collaboration.