Bangladesh discussed a proposed €250 million loan from the European Investment Bank (EIB) to implement a women's health initiative with international development partners during the World Health Summit (WHS) 2026 in Berlin, Germany, on Saturday.
The bilateral and technical discussions took place at the Charité campus in Berlin, involving a high-level delegation from the Bangladesh government and international development partners.
The Bangladesh delegation was led by Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Health Ziauddin Hyder.
The proposed Women's Health Initiative aims to reduce maternal mortality, ensure early detection of cervical and breast cancers, and develop modern facilities to provide round-the-clock emergency obstetric services at the union level.
The discussions also covered strengthening district hospitals and introducing a digital patient-tracking system.
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, and the Berlin Institute of Health (BIH) are providing technical and strategic support for the initiative.
Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain said: “This international partnership will play an important role in ensuring quality healthcare for women and girls in remote areas of Bangladesh.”
The Bangladesh delegation also visited Charité Hospital in Berlin to observe its medical facilities and cancer screening services.
The parties agreed to form a joint working group to support the future development of healthcare systems in both countries.