EBL & icddr,b renew partnership for National Biohazardous Waste Reform

Eastern Bank PLC (EBL) and icddr,b have renewed their partnership for the third consecutive year, reaffirming their joint commitment to improving public health and environmental sustainability in Bangladesh.

A cheque handover ceremony under the existing MoU was held on Thursday at EBL’s head office in Dhaka, according to a press release.

Ahmed Shaheen, Additional Managing Director of EBL, handed over project funding cheques to Dr. Asadulghani, Head of Biosafety Unit, for Phase III of the Biohazardous Waste Management programme, and to Dr. Md. Al Fazal Khan, Head of Matlab Health Research Centre, to support icddr,b’s Matlab Hospital.

Under Phase III of the Best Practices in Sustainable Solid Biohazardous Waste Management initiative, EBL will continue funding the programme in 2026.

The new phase will focus on strengthening institutional capacity, operational systems and national coordination to ensure safe and sustainable management of biohazardous waste across healthcare facilities nationwide.

The initiative will also support knowledge and technology transfer and help government health facilities implement updated national guidelines.

In parallel, EBL is extending CSR support to icddr,b’s Matlab Hospital, a globally recognised centre for public health research and healthcare services.

The hospital provides free treatment to thousands of patients annually and plays a vital role in maternal, child and diarrhoeal care.

The event was attended by senior officials from both organizations. Representing icddr,b were Armana Ahmed, Head, Fund Development; Naser Azad, Manager, Donor Relations and Laila Farzana, Coordinator, Development. From EBL, Md. Abdullah Al Mamun, Company Secretary; Md. Maskur Reza FCA, Head of Business Information Systems and other officials were present.