Standard Chartered Bangladesh has partnered with icddr,b to donate and distribute 80 high-capacity oxygen concentrators to rural healthcare facilities in different regions of Dhaka, Sylhet, Rajshahi, Mymensingh and Khulna.
The initiative aims to address critical oxygen shortages in marginal areas, where secondary respiratory complications are prevalent and very common, particularly among infants and young children aged 6 to 24 months.
Healthcare facilities are very hard to access in remote parts of the country. Additionally, ensuring uninterrupted access to medical oxygen remains a major challenge, particularly during outbreaks of respiratory illnesses.
By providing reliable, on-site oxygen concentrators, the initiative will enable frontline healthcare providers to deliver timely, life-saving treatment to underserved communities, strengthening local health system resilience where it is needed most.
icddr,b, a globally renowned health research organization with extensive expertise in community-based healthcare and field implementation, will oversee the distribution, installation, and post-deployment management of the oxygen concentrators to ensure their effective utilization and long-term operational sustainability.
Enamul Huque, chief executive officer, Standard Chartered Bangladesh, said: “Access to timely and appropriate healthcare is essential, particularly for communities living in areas where healthcare resources are limited. Through this partnership with icddr,b, we are supporting rural healthcare facilities with essential equipment that can help strengthen their capacity to provide oxygen support when it is needed. We are pleased to contribute to an initiative that addresses a practical healthcare need and supports the wellbeing of marginal communities.”
Dr Tahmeed Ahmed, executive director, icddr,b, said: “There is insufficient oxygen supply infrastructure in many private and NGO-run hospitals, high cost of oxygen concentrators, and increased patient demand for oxygen therapy, particularly among vulnerable and low-income groups. In response to these challenges, Standard Chartered Bangladesh's donation is critical to address this gap in oxygen availability and support improved patient outcomes across Bangladesh. We would like to thank Standard Chartered Bank for continuing collaboration to improve the health and wellbeing of poor and marginalized populations.”
Standard Chartered Bangladesh has a longstanding commitment to strengthening healthcare infrastructure across the country.
Previously, the bank supported the installation of oxygen Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) plants, on-site systems that generate medical-grade oxygen from ambient air, at Kumudini Hospital, MA Rashid Hospital in Jamalpur, TMSS Medical College, Rafatullah Community Hospital, and Chattogram Maa-Shishu O General Hospital.
Through this partnership, Standard Chartered Bangladesh continues to advance inclusive and sustainable community development by supporting interventions that address critical healthcare needs and strengthen resilience where it matters most.
As the bank marks 121 years of uninterrupted presence in Bangladesh, it remains committed to working alongside trusted partners to improve health outcomes and create lasting positive impact for communities across the country.