Dhaka: Visiting UN Assistant Secretary-General and Deputy Executive Director of the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) Kirstine Damkj¦r today reaffirmed UN support for strengthening Bangladesh’s health infrastructure.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Damkj¦r emphasized UNOPS’s commitment to enhancing Bangladesh’s healthcare infrastructure by implementing accessible and sustainable solutions. Her remarks were made during a visit to the National Institute of Diseases of the Chest and Hospital (NIDCH). As a partner, the UN has been actively working to assist Bangladesh in achieving its healthcare objectives.
The NIDCH is one of 29 hospitals in Bangladesh where UNOPS, in partnership with organizations such as the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP) and the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), has established PSA (Pressure Swing Adsorption) plants with funding from the Global Fund. This effort aims to bolster the national healthcare system as part of Bangladesh’s Covid-19 emergency response plan.
Hospitals participating in this initiative, including NIDCH, were strategically selected to ensure that underserved communities across Bangladesh have access to essential medical services. UNOPS has collaborated closely with partners to procure vital medical equipment and supplies while enhancing healthcare infrastructure through the installation of oxygen therapy units.
As a result of these efforts, Bangladesh’s most underserved communities now benefit from strengthened healthcare systems that can deliver critical medical services during health emergencies, such as the Covid-19 pandemic.