Standard Chartered Bangladesh has partnered with icddr,b to provide 80 high-capacity oxygen concentrators to rural healthcare facilities in five regions, aiming to improve access to critical medical support in underserved communities.
The initiative will distribute the equipment among healthcare facilities in Dhaka, Sylhet, Rajshahi, Mymensingh and Khulna, where access to uninterrupted medical oxygen remains a challenge, particularly during outbreaks of respiratory illnesses.
The donation is expected to help frontline healthcare providers deliver timely oxygen support to patients, including infants and young children aged between 6 and 24 months who are particularly vulnerable to respiratory complications.
Healthcare facilities in remote areas often face challenges in accessing essential equipment and maintaining reliable oxygen supplies. The initiative seeks to strengthen local healthcare capacity by providing on-site oxygen generation facilities.
icddr,b will oversee the distribution, installation and post-deployment management of the oxygen concentrators to ensure their effective use and long-term operation.
Enamul Huque, Chief Executive Officer of Standard Chartered Bangladesh, said access to timely healthcare remained essential, especially for communities where medical resources are limited.
“Through this partnership with icddr,b, we are supporting rural healthcare facilities with essential equipment that can help strengthen their capacity to provide oxygen support when it is needed,” he said.
Dr Tahmeed Ahmed, Executive Director of icddr,b, said many private and NGO-run hospitals continue to face shortages in oxygen supply infrastructure, while the high cost of oxygen concentrators limits access for vulnerable groups.
He said the donation from Standard Chartered Bangladesh would help address gaps in oxygen availability and support improved patient outcomes across the country.
Standard Chartered Bangladesh has previously supported healthcare infrastructure projects, including the installation of Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) plants that generate medical-grade oxygen at Kumudini Hospital, M A Rashid Hospital in Jamalpur, TMSS Medical College, Rafatullah Community Hospital and Chattogram Maa-Shishu O General Hospital.
The bank said the latest initiative is part of its broader focus on community development and healthcare support as it marks 121 years of operations in Bangladesh.
Through the partnership with icddr,b, Standard Chartered Bangladesh aims to expand support for rural healthcare systems and improve access to essential medical services for marginal communities.
