US provides $2.4m in health equipment to Bangladesh

The United States has provided $2.4 million worth of health equipment and supplies to Bangladesh to strengthen maternal, newborn and child healthcare services across the country, the US Embassy in Dhaka said on Monday.

US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T. Christensen handed over maternal and newborn care training models to Panchagarh Civil Surgeon Dr Md Mizanur Rahman at Panchagarh District Hospital as part of the initiative.

The broader assistance includes newborn warmers and breathing equipment, therapeutic food for severely malnourished children, and supplies to help maintain vaccine effectiveness, according to a statement attributed to US Embassy Dhaka spokesperson Poornima Rai.

The equipment and supplies are being distributed to hospitals and health centres across Bangladesh, including hard-to-reach areas, through US-funded partners FHI 360, Jhpiego, JSI and UNICEF.

The embassy said the assistance aims to strengthen Bangladesh’s health system and expand access to quality maternal, newborn and child healthcare nationwide.

It added that the support also advances the America First Global Health Strategy through practical partnerships to strengthen health systems and promote American health innovation.

“The United States remains committed to working with the Government of Bangladesh to expand access to quality health care nationwide,” the embassy said.