Eastern Bank PLC (EBL) has partnered with Friendship, a leading Bangladeshi NGO, to expand access to essential healthcare and safe drinking water for some of the country’s most vulnerable communities. The collaboration forms part of EBL’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts to promote sustainable development and social wellbeing.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed at EBL’s head office in Dhaka, with Ahmed Shaheen, Additional Managing Director of EBL, handing over a cheque to Runa Khan, Founder and Executive Director of Friendship, to officially inaugurate the partnership.
The initiative will operate under Friendship’s Char Surgery Access Programme, which targets isolated river island communities in northern Bangladesh. The programme plans to carry out over 1,000 specialist surgeries, including procedures such as cataract removal, burn contracture correction, prolapse repair, Achilles tendon surgery, and other essential general operations. These interventions aim to restore sight, mobility, dignity, and quality of life for patients who otherwise have minimal or no access to specialised medical care.
Friendship’s floating hospitals, including the Emirates Friendship Hospital and Lifebuoy Friendship Hospital, together with satellite clinics and trained community medic-aides, will serve as key delivery points, ensuring that life-changing surgical care reaches even the most remote communities.
Ahmed Shaheen said, “Friendship has long been a pioneer in humanitarian service through its innovative floating hospitals. Partnering with them allows EBL to support communities in bridging critical healthcare gaps while helping them adapt to climate change challenges.”
Runa Khan added, “This partnership brings together two essential priorities for marginalised populations: surgical healthcare and safe drinking water. By addressing both, we not only improve health and wellbeing but also strengthen resilience among communities facing exclusion and climate vulnerability.”
As part of the collaboration, EBL will fund the installation of two multi-source Water Treatment Plants (WTPs) in Shyamnagar, a cyclone-prone coastal region where freshwater sources are often compromised by salinity and climate impacts. Each plant will produce up to 1,000 litres of purified water per hour, benefiting approximately 400 families.
Partnership Highlights
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Healthcare Programme | Char Surgery Access Programme; 1,000+ specialist surgeries planned |
| Target Locations | Remote river islands in northern Bangladesh |
| Facilities | Emirates Friendship Hospital, Lifebuoy Friendship Hospital, satellite clinics |
| Surgical Services | Cataract, burn contracture, prolapse, Achilles tendon, general surgeries |
| Water Initiative | Two multi-source Water Treatment Plants in Shyamnagar |
| WTP Capacity | 1,000 litres/hour; serves ~400 families per plant |
The signing ceremony was attended by senior representatives from both organisations. Friendship’s team included Muhammed Shameem Reza (Senior Director, Legal & CFO), Kazi Amdadul Hoque (Senior Director & Head of Strategy, Planning & Climate Action), Dr. Rafi Abul Hasnath Siddique (Deputy Director – Health), and Enamul Haque (Assistant Director – Partnership Development). EBL’s attendees included Ziaul Karim (Head of Communications & External Affairs), Md. Abdullah Al Mamun (Company Secretary), Maj. Md. Abdus Salam, psc (Retd) (Head of Administration), and Md. Maskur Reza, FCA (Head of Business Information Systems).
This partnership reflects EBL’s ongoing commitment to social responsibility while advancing Friendship’s mission to deliver accessible healthcare and safe water solutions to communities at the frontline of vulnerability and climate risk.