Standard Chartered Bangladesh partners with icddr,b to improve reproductive health services in remote areas

Standard Chartered Bangladesh and icddr,b have signed a three-year agreement to implement a transformative project to improve reproductive health care for women and adolescent girls in six remote regions of Bangladesh.

Naser Ezaz Bijoy, CEO, Standard Chartered Bangladesh and Dr. Tahmeed Ahmed, Executive Director, icddr,b, signed the agreement on behalf of their respective organisations, according to a media release. 

Several senior representatives from both organisations attended the signing ceremony, including Muhit Rahman, Head of Financial Institutions; and Bitopi Das Chowdhury, Head of Corporate Affairs and Brand & Marketing, from Standard Chartered Bangladesh.

The initiative will cover 100 selected unions in six remote regions—Barind, Beel, Char, Coastal, Hill track and Haor. These areas are often beyond the reach of traditional healthcare systems due to difficult terrain, limited infrastructure, and the growing impact of climate change.

Through 100 health camps, the initiative aims to directly benefit over 30,000 adolescents and young girls and indirectly reach an estimated 100,000 individuals. These healthcare facilities include routine check-ups, expert consultations, cervical cancer screening, mental health support and so on.

Under this joint program, it is also planned to conduct 100 awareness sessions on menstrual health, sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), safe water and hygiene, and household waste management, reaching an additional 10,000 direct beneficiaries.

Speaking on the occasion, Naser Ezaz Bijoy, Chief Executive Officer of Standard Chartered Bangladesh, said, “In many remote areas of Bangladesh, women and adolescent girls face significant barriers to even the most basic healthcare — simply because of where they live. Through our partnership with icddr,b, we are bridging this gap and taking concrete steps to bring critical health interventions, including cervical cancer screening — directly to the doorsteps of underserved communities. By reaching over 30,000 women and adolescent girls in 100 remote locations, we hope to include those who not previously reached, at the same time creating lasting impact rooted in dignity, equity, and care.”

Dr. Tahmeed Ahmed, Executive Director, icddr,b said, “Women and adolescent girls in hard-to-reach areas of Bangladesh face severe reproductive health challenges due to limited health infrastructure and healthcare access. To address these health disparities, icddr,b and Standard Chartered Bangladesh are initiating a collaborative effort to enhance women’s reproductive health outcomes and improve quality of life.”