Sanitary toilet usage in certain low-income urban settlements has risen significantly over the past five years—from just 10% to 69%—alongside major improvements in access to safe water, maternal healthcare, and hygiene practices, according to Brac.
Brac revealed such information at the National Dissemination Workshop on Wednesday, at the Brac Centre in Dhaka, to share findings and policy recommendations from its five-year-long Integrated Rehabilitation Programme for Health and WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) Services, said a press release issued on Wednesday.
Funded by the King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Program (KAAP) through the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), the program was implemented in low-income urban settlements in Mirpur and Mohammadpur of Dhaka North City Corporation, as well as the Saidpur municipality.
Daily access to safe water has increased from 51 to 80%, while the use of sanitary pads among women has climbed from 53 to 90%. The uptake of antenatal care for at least four visits rose from 45 to 71% and postnatal care coverage increased from 21 to 49%, according to Brac.
Additionally, 94% of households now have access to their drinking water, and mosquito control activities have expanded from 54 to 85% of targeted areas.
The program focused on improving essential infrastructure and fostering long-term health and hygiene practices in some of the most underserved urban areas.
These settlements reflect the broader reality of urban inequality in the country, where more than 5.4 million people live in slums -- often in extremely dense conditions, with some areas exceeding 200,000 people per square kilometre, lacking access to clean water, sanitation, and primary healthcare.
The workshop brought together Brac officials, representatives from urban governance bodies, development partners, and community members from Dhaka and Saidpur.
Chief guest Brigadier General Imru-al-Quais Chowdhury, chief health officer of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), was joined by Dr Md Liakath Ali, director of Climate Change, Urban Development and Disaster Risk Reduction Programs at Brac.
Other notable attendees included Md Arif Shahid, country coordinator of KAAP, Islamic Development Bank; Dr Shayla Islam, associate director of Brac Health Program (BHP); Mohammad Mamun-Ul-Hasan, chief welfare and slum development officer of the DNCC; and Nur-e-Alam Siddique, administrator of the Saidpur municipality.
Brigadier General Imru-al-Quais Chowdhury emphasized the importance of collaboration among organizations and institutions.
He noted that investment in the health and WASH sector yields significant returns -- every dollar invested can generate $4.30 in benefits.
He suggested that diversifying the program or exploring new dimensions could enhance its impact and contribute meaningfully to the city corporation’s work, ultimately improving residents’ quality of life.
In his closing remarks, Dr Md Liakath Ali said that the project aimed to provide affordable health and WASH services. Substantial progress was achieved in areas including antenatal and postnatal care, menstrual health, sanitation, and behavioural change.
These results, he added, offer a solid foundation for designing new interventions and strengthening ongoing efforts.
Md Arif Shahid mentioned that future directions would include co-financing strategies involving community contributions, with a continued focus on the health component.
He also indicated that similar initiatives may be launched in the future.
Dr Shayla Islam highlighted improvements in postnatal care and tuberculosis management.
She stressed that enhanced coordination among stakeholders was a key lesson from the program and underlined the critical role of local government and city corporations in bridging gaps and aligning interventions.
Over time, she said, community engagement can effectively drive behavioural change.
Dr Nazneen Akhter, managing director of VAALO (Value Attention Alternative Development Learning Options) Avant-Garde Ltd, presented a comprehensive overview of the national urban health and WASH context.
The event also included an open discussion facilitated by Imamul Azam Shahi, program head of the Brac Urban Development Program (UDP).
Community representatives from both Dhaka and Saidpur shared their experiences, underscoring the importance of inclusive dialogue and collaborative action in tackling the pressing health and hygiene challenges facing Bangladesh’s growing urban slums.
