The cessation of USAID support to Bangladesh’s health sector would have devastating consequences for a country already grappling with significant public health challenges.
High maternal and child mortality rates, widespread malnutrition, the prevalence of tuberculosis (TB), and fragile health systems have long posed barriers to Bangladesh’s sustained development.
Over the years, USAID has played a crucial role in addressing these challenges by strengthening the country’s health systems, enhancing maternal and child healthcare, expanding family planning, combating malnutrition, and tackling communicable diseases such as tuberculosis.
USAID has been instrumental in improving healthcare access and outcomes in Bangladesh, contributing to several landmark achievements.
For instance, it supported the passage of Bangladesh’s first Drugs and Cosmetics Bill since 1940, which introduced stricter regulations on counterfeit medicines, improving drug safety for millions of consumers while bolstering the country's pharmaceutical exports.
The suspension of USAID support risks undermining the enforcement of these regulations, potentially exposing millions to unsafe medicines and hampering growth in pharmaceutical exports.
In the fight against tuberculosis, USAID’s partnerships with private TB screening and treatment centres in 2023 resulted in the testing of 22,636 individuals and the identification of over 3,500 active TB cases.
The successful treatment rates—97% for drug-sensitive TB and 80% for drug-resistant TB—demonstrate the critical impact of USAID interventions.
Without this support, TB detection and treatment efforts would suffer, increasing the risk of disease spread and higher mortality rates, especially in underserved populations.
USAID’s investments in nutrition and maternal health have been transformative. In 2023 alone, the agency provided counselling on maternal nutrition, infant feeding, and handwashing to more than 400,000 pregnant women.
It distributed iron-folate supplements to over 265,000 mothers and delivered nutrition interventions to nearly 200,000 children under five, alongside Vitamin A supplements for over 371,000 children.
Such interventions have been pivotal in combating malnutrition and ensuring healthier pregnancies and early childhood development. The loss of USAID support could exacerbate malnutrition levels, reversing hard-won gains in child and maternal health and leaving millions of vulnerable individuals at risk.
Another critical area of USAID impact has been its support for the Social Marketing Company (SMC), which plays a vital role in ensuring affordable access to essential health products.
SMC supplied 41 million sachets of micronutrient powder for children under five, 90% of oral rehydration solutions, and nearly half of the feminine hygiene products sold in Bangladesh in 2023.
The absence of USAID’s partnership could disrupt the availability of these life-saving products, disproportionately affecting children and women in low-income communities.
USAID has also helped build long-term health system resilience by supporting the establishment of the nation’s first medical devices testing laboratory in 2023, ensuring quality assurance for lifesaving equipment and laying the foundation for domestic production and certification.
This initiative was particularly critical during the COVID-19 pandemic, when USAID supported testing, treatment, vaccination, and community education.
The potential cessation of support would not only compromise Bangladesh’s preparedness for future health crises but also hinder its ability to independently manufacture and certify medical equipment.
Overall, USAID’s contributions to Bangladesh’s health sector have been indispensable, touching millions of lives and addressing critical gaps in healthcare delivery, disease prevention, and health product availability.
The suspension of these efforts would significantly weaken the country’s already fragile health systems, increase health disparities, and leave millions vulnerable to preventable diseases and malnutrition.
For a nation with limited resources and a rapidly growing population, the loss of US support would exacerbate existing challenges and impede progress toward achieving sustainable development in health.
