In a country where access to quality cancer care was once a distant hope for many, Sakif Shamim is rewriting the narrative. As the Managing Director of Labaid Cancer Hospital and Super Speciality Centre and Deputy Managing Director of the Labaid Group, Sakif represents a new generation of healthcare leadership in Bangladesh: globally educated, deeply empathetic, and relentlessly driven.
Armed with degrees from the University of Oxford, the University of Chicago, and Harvard Medical School, Sakif brings a rare blend of strategic foresight and operational excellence to the table. Under his stewardship, Labaid Cancer Hospital has emerged as the country’s first fully integrated, multidisciplinary cancer care institution—offering cutting-edge treatments like immunotherapy, genome therapy, robotic surgery, and bone marrow transplants, all under one roof.
But Sakif’s impact goes beyond infrastructure and innovation. His leadership is rooted in a people-first philosophy—one that prioritizes affordability, dignity, and trust in every patient interaction. Whether it’s launching LifePlus BD to extend digital healthcare access or spearheading plans for 30 new cancer centers across the country, Sakif is on a mission to make world-class care not just available, but accessible.
Making of a Leader
Sakif’s professional journey is deeply rooted in his family’s legacy and his extensive global education. He was born and raised in Dhaka, in a distinguished family of doctors; both his father, Dr. A.M. Shamim, and mother, Dr. Sucharita Ahmed, are renowned doctors in Bangladesh. This upbringing gave him early exposure to healthcare’s challenges and complexities. His passion for learning led him to pursue a diverse academic path globally: an MSc in Major Programme Management from the University of Oxford, an MBA from the University of Chicago, a Master’s in Clinical Operations from Harvard Medical School, and a Master’s in International Relations from the Geneva Graduate Institute. He also undertook specialized courses in Leadership, AI, and Crisis Management from Wharton Business School and IMD Switzerland. These experiences, combined with professional fellowships like FACHE (USA) and FRSA (UK), uniquely equipped him to navigate both the healthcare and business worlds.
The pivotal moment that inspired Sakif’s transition into healthcare entrepreneurship was witnessing the extreme suffering of Bangladeshi cancer patients. For a long time, most of them were forced to travel abroad, often to India or Singapore, for adequate treatment because the country lacked sufficient cancer management infrastructure. This meant not only immense emotional distress but also substantial financial burdens from travel, accommodation, and living expenses. His father, Dr. A.M. Shamim, had similarly pioneered Bangladesh’s first cardiac hospital after recognizing the suffering of heart patients’ post-2000. Inspired by this legacy and the clear national void in cancer care, Sakif decided to establish Labaid Cancer Hospital & Super Speciality Center, the country’s first and only multidisciplinary cancer hospital.
Global Influence
Sakif’s extensive global academic experiences at institutions like Oxford, Chicago Booth, and Harvard, along with specialized courses from Wharton and IMD, have profoundly shaped his leadership philosophy, making him adept in both healthcare and business. These diverse backgrounds provide a strong foundation for his approach.
Sakif’s leadership philosophy is anchored in several core principles. Firstly, he has a strong commitment to excellence in healthcare, where patient well-being is the primary concern. Secondly, he believes in developing a continuous learning and innovative culture within the organization. His experience with different healthcare systems around the world has shown him how important it is to stay updated with new technologies, changing ways of providing care, and what patients truly need. It has made him realize that to make a real difference, we have to keep learning, adapting, and understanding the people we serve. This forward-looking perspective ensures that Labaid Cancer Hospital & Super Speciality Centre remains at the forefront of medical advancements.
Sakif prioritizes ongoing self-improvement by regularly engaging in executive education programs and leadership workshops. He actively participates in healthcare conferences and forums for networking and knowledge exchange with industry peers, and he diligently reads industry publications and insights from thought leaders to stay updated. Sakif also actively encourages his team to stay updated with industry trends, embrace innovation, and seek opportunities for improvement, recognizing that adaptability and the introduction of new technologies are crucial for sustained success in the rapidly evolving healthcare sector. This commitment to intellectual growth is vital for navigating the fundamental complexities and rapid advancements in healthcare, ensuring Labaid remains competitive and capable of delivering the most advanced care.
Patient-Centered Innovation
Labaid Hospital, founded in 1989, has a long history of providing healthcare services in Bangladesh, evolving over 36 years to become the top private hospital in the country. While Labaid initially revolutionized cardiac care, it has significantly expanded its impact, particularly in serving cancer patients.
Labaid Cancer Hospital & Super Speciality Center was established as Bangladesh’s first and only multidisciplinary cancer hospital, aiming to provide comprehensive treatment for all types of cancers domestically. Their mission is rooted in the belief that quality healthcare is a right for everyone, and the primary goal is to ensure this care is accessible and affordable.
Operational excellence at Labaid is demonstrated through several key aspects. It is recognized as the first modern private hospital in Bangladesh that is fully equipped. Specifically, Labaid Cancer Hospital is equipped with the most advanced equipment and technology, including 6 hybrid modular operation theaters, designed to enhance the quality of treatment. It prides itself on having the best doctors and surgeons. In its first year of operation, Labaid successfully completed over 1000 surgeries with an exceptionally low surgical site infection rate of only 1.25%, which is notably lower than that of many renowned hospitals in countries like India, Singapore, and the UK. It has Tomosynthesis (3D Mammogram) to detect breast cancer effectively & faster than 2D mammograms. Labaid Cancer Hospital is also the only LEED Gold certified hospital in Bangladesh, signifying its commitment to sustainable design and operation, and it is well on its way to achieving JCI (Joint Commission International) accreditation, a globally recognized benchmark for patient safety and quality of care.
Balancing meticulous operational excellence with compassionate care is a cornerstone of Labaid’s philosophy. It explicitly states its strong commitment to quality: “We never compromise with our quality. We are bound to give the best possible treatment for every individual patient.”
This commitment extends beyond medical procedures to the overall patient experience. Alongside providing advanced treatment, Labaid ensures the best environment with 24/7 nursing care. A core differentiator for Labaid Cancer Hospital is its ability to offer such quality of treatment for an affordable cost. This directly addresses the common perception in Bangladesh that quality cancer care from private hospitals is beyond the reach of ordinary people. Labaid aims to be an established example to change such thoughts, making advanced care accessible to a broader population. The availability of full equipment support and the best surgeons has dramatically decreased the death rate of cancer patients in Bangladesh.
“We take immense pride in gaining the trust of the majority of people in Bangladesh by providing the best treatment. It is a source of inspiration when Labaid Cancer Hospital is chosen over many renowned hospitals worldwide, strengthening our mission to expand healthcare access. The satisfaction derived from saving and pleasing many lives, and witnessing tears of gratitude, underscores the deep-seated compassionate motivation behind our operations,” says Sakif.
Leading with Empathy
As the Managing Director of Labaid Cancer Hospital & Super Speciality Center, Deputy Managing Director of Labaid Group, and Vice President of the Bangladesh Sub-Contracting Industrial Owners Association, Sakif’s days are incredibly dynamic and strategically focused. His involvement in various innovative initiatives, including LifePlus Bangladesh Ltd, Virtucare BD Ltd, Alpha Force PLC, Prime Shine Cleaning Service, and One Tap Ltd. means his agenda spans digital healthcare, facility management, and modern technology.
A typical day involves a blend of operational oversight, strategic planning, and external engagements. Given his emphasis on continuous learning and staying aligned to industry trends, Sakif dedicates time to executive education programs, leadership workshops, and engaging with industry publications and thought leaders. He also actively participates in healthcare conferences and forums to strengthen networking and knowledge exchange, ensuring Labaid remains at the forefront of medical advancements. He oversees the hospital’s operations, which currently serve minimum 500 cancer patients a day.
Redefining Bangladesh’s Healthcare Ambitions
Building Labaid Cancer Hospital, a facility with cutting-edge technology, was a huge task in Bangladesh, and Sakif and his team faced immense challenges. Historically, people here had to go abroad for better cancer treatment because they just didn’t have the right facilities or enough skilled people. This meant they started almost from scratch.
One major challenge was finance. Healthcare spending in Bangladesh is low, and most people pay for care themselves, which is very hard on families. Creating a high-tech hospital in such a financial climate, without making it too expensive for patients, was difficult. Sakif had to invest a lot while keeping costs manageable for the patients.
Then came the challenge of finding and keeping skilled staff. Bangladesh has a shortage of specialized doctors, nurses, and technicians, especially those who know how to use advanced medical equipment. Attracting top talent and ensuring they were well-trained for Labaid’s cutting-edge machines was a continuous effort.
“Our country’s general health infrastructure also posed difficulties. Existing public hospitals often lack funding, staff, and space. Plus, the rules and monitoring for private hospitals could be better. So, building a hospital that consistently met high-quality standards required overcoming these wider system issues. Finally, bringing in and maintaining the latest medical technology was tough due to import rules and the lack of local support for these advanced machines,” shares Sakif.
Accessible Care with Technology and Trust
LifePlus Bangladesh operates as a vital digital arm of the Labaid group, directly advancing Labaid’s overarching mission to deliver accessible, high-quality, and affordable healthcare across Bangladesh. By embracing technology, LifePlus Bangladesh extends Labaid’s reach and enhances patient convenience, allowing seamless online booking for doctor appointments, facilitating video call consultations for remote access, and simplifying diagnostic test bookings, including convenient home sample collection. Beyond these, LifePlus BD notably offers essential emergency services like ambulance booking, aiming to ensure an ambulance reaches the confirmed location within 30 minutes, and provides crucial home nursing care for patients requiring professional support in their residences. This comprehensive digital platform also covers online medicine and healthcare product delivery, ensuring a holistic service experience.
The unique gap LifePlus BD fills in the Bangladeshi healthcare ecosystem is the provision of an integrated, highly responsive, and digitally accessible suite of services that addresses both routine and urgent medical needs. It overcomes geographical barriers and administrative complexities by bringing diverse healthcare options, including critical emergency transport and in-home care, directly to the patient’s fingertips. Till now, it has more than 500,000 active users along with 500 corporates & more than 100 partners.
Challenging the Norms
Bangladesh’s healthcare sector confronts an array of significant challenges, including inadequate public facilities, a severe shortage of skilled medical professionals, substantial out-of-pocket expenses for patients, and systemic issues with management and quality control. At Labaid, Sakif and his team are proactively addressing these by building world-class hospitals locally, exemplified by the Labaid Cancer Hospital, which provides comprehensive cancer services, thereby reducing the need for patients to seek treatment abroad.
Their core mission is to make care affordable and accessible, offering high-quality treatment at a fair price and challenging the perception that private healthcare is inherently expensive. Labaid is also investing heavily in cutting-edge technology and skilled personnel to mitigate equipment shortages and enhance staff capabilities. Sakif’s involvement in various business groups and his future plans for the FBCCI enable him to influence policy and advocate for systemic change, urging the government to prioritize health, education, and skilled workforce development. Furthermore, Labaid’s pursuit of international accreditations like LEED Gold and JCI aims to set new quality standards for the private healthcare sector in Bangladesh.
Quality Care
Ensuring that the services are both affordable and accessible without compromising on quality is central to Labaid’s mission, a particularly challenging endeavor in Bangladesh given the high out-of-pocket medical expenses. Sakif’s fundamental belief is that quality healthcare is a universal right, which guides Labaid’s commitment to providing services at a price people can afford, consistently prioritizing patient well-being over financial gain. He achieves this through efficient operations and economies of scale, as demonstrated by the Labaid Cancer Hospital’s ability to perform over 1,000 surgeries in its first year with low infection rates, optimizing processes and reducing associated costs. Labaid’s smart investment in advanced technology, while initially costly, ultimately leads to more accurate diagnoses, precise treatments, faster recovery, and fewer complications, thereby lowering the overall long-term expense for patients.
“Providing complete, integrated care for all types of cancers means patients don’t need to incur additional costs by visiting multiple facilities for different services,” asserts Sakif.
Man on a Mission
For Sakif, managing a diverse portfolio of responsibilities, from leadership roles at Labaid Group to spearheading digital healthcare ventures like LifePlus Bangladesh Ltd. and Virtucare bd.ai Ltd., stems from a clear vision and strategic delegation. His overarching aim is to elevate Bangladesh’s healthcare sector. He enables his teams to take ownership, freeing him to oversee numerous projects without getting bogged down in minute details. His focus on digital transformation and technology across many initiatives is also key, as it streamlines operations, automates tasks, and enhances efficiency, allowing for broader oversight. While he doesn’t have a specific rule regarding work-life balance, Sakif’s leadership style emphasizes constant improvement and flexibility, which are vital for managing high demands.
“When work deeply aligns with a personal mission, such as transforming healthcare in Bangladesh, the work itself can be fulfilling, contributing to a sense of balance even with a busy schedule,” feels Sakif.
Innovation for Compassion
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital transformation are not merely trends for Labaid; they are fundamental to both its current operations and future strategy. In daily work, AI is already revolutionizing healthcare by improving diagnoses, streamlining operations, and enhancing patient recovery. Labaid actively uses these advancements for better diagnostics, with AI-powered imaging aiding in more accurate readings of scans and early detection of conditions like cancer. AI-driven robotic surgery enhances precision and safety, while AI also accelerates drug discovery and enables personalized treatment. For efficient hospital management, AI automates tasks like scheduling and billing, reducing errors and administrative burden. It also contributes to predictive healthcare and infection control by analyzing patient data to anticipate risks.
Streamlining the Efforts
Sakif leverages his position and various roles to influence policy and catalyze significant systemic change in Bangladesh’s healthcare delivery, extending beyond Labaid’s immediate operations. As Vice President of the Bangladesh Sub-Contracting Industrial Owners Association and with ambitious plans for the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), he is strategically positioned to advocate for broader economic and sectoral reforms. His efforts to promote a more business-friendly tax system, better public services, and investment in skills directly influence the healthcare environment.
Sakif also regularly provides direct advocacy to the Government regarding the development of Bangladesh’s healthcare industry. This involves actively engaging with policymakers, presenting data-driven recommendations, and participating in expert committees to highlight critical areas for improvement, such as the need for increased public health spending, clearer regulatory frameworks for the private sector, and incentives for healthcare innovation. His discussions often center on fostering an environment that encourages investment in medical infrastructure and education, ensuring a robust and equitable healthcare system for all citizens.
Sakif’s plan to build a specialized hospital for business professionals and their families demonstrates a focused approach that can set a precedent for wider policy discussions. He also actively engages in public discourse on critical healthcare issues, advocating for the establishment of private medical universities to address the shortage of skilled professionals and consistently urging the government to prioritize health and education in the national budget.
“By successfully establishing Labaid Cancer Hospital as a high-quality, affordable, and comprehensive cancer care center, I provide a tangible example of what’s achievable in Bangladesh. This success can encourage policymakers to support similar projects and improve regulations for private hospitals. Our LEED Gold certification and pursuit of JCI accreditation set high benchmarks for quality, potentially leading to industry-wide policy improvements,” emphasizes Sakif.
Healing with Vision
Sakif envisions a transformative future for cancer care in Bangladesh, where most people can access high-quality treatment domestically, eliminating the need for expensive trips abroad. This transformation will involve a significant increase in local capacity for advanced cancer diagnosis and treatment, reducing dependence on foreign facilities. He foresees more integrated care, offering comprehensive services from diagnosis through treatment and follow-up, with multidisciplinary teams collaborating seamlessly. The widespread adoption of advanced technology, including cutting-edge imaging, precise surgery, and personalized medicine, will become standard practice.
As the MD of Labaid Cancer Hospital, he shares that there are plans to open 34 cancer centers throughout the country, strategically located to bring vital cancer care closer to patients in every region. This will increase the accessibility among the patients to avail of cancer care with ease.
In a major development for specialized healthcare, Labaid is also planning the construction of a 500-bed super-specialized hospital and medical college in Purbachal. This state-of-the-art facility will serve as a hub for advanced medical treatment, research, and education, addressing a critical need for high-level specialized care within the country.
Further strengthening regional healthcare infrastructure, they have opened a 100-bed hospital in Chittagong. This new facility will be complemented by the establishment of a dedicated mother and child hospital in the same area, ensuring comprehensive and specialized care for mothers and their children. As a visionary leader, Mr. Sakif, if elected as a member of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), has planned to establish a new hospital specifically for the esteemed members of the FBCCI and their families to address the healthcare needs of the business community. This dedicated facility will provide high-quality medical services, ensuring that FBCCI members and their loved ones can access excellent care with ease and convenience.
“Furthermore, as our system matures, there will likely be a greater emphasis on prevention through public health efforts for early detection, ultimately reducing the number of advanced cancer cases,” concludes Sakif.
