The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the UK’s Department for International Development (DFID) announced partnerships with Bangladesh in order to make quality healthcare widely available for the impoverished families via the Smiling Sun network of health clinics.
The announcement came at a launching event held in the capital’s Ruposhi Bangla Hotel at 11am yesterday.
A part of DFID’s broader urban health programme, the partnership aims to increase access to quality primary, maternal and neonatal healthcare and nutrition services for the urban poor. It hopes to reach several million people with basic health services that focus on improving the health of women and children in the urban areas.
The partnership also includes Marie Stopes Clinic Society Bangladesh and will collaborate with Brac urban health services.
Sarah Cooke, country representative of DFID Bangladesh, said improving the health of poor mothers and their babies is a priority for the UK government.
“Through our urban health programme, we will continue supporting the poorest women to give birth safely and under skilled care, giving mothers and babies the opportunity to thrive, and helping to prevent tragic and unnecessary deaths,” she added.
Janina Jaruzelski, mission director of USAID, said by working hand-in-hand with the Bangladesh government, USAID and DFID would enable the long-running Smiling Sun health clinic programme to reach new heights and ultimately benefit more women and children in urgent need of healthcare.
Under the new partnership, DFID will provide an additional $29m to the $54m USAID NGO Health Service Delivery project.
A M Badruddoza, secretary at the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and Joya Ahsan, renowned actor and former brand ambassador for Smiling Sun clinics, were also present at the event.
