The government of Bangladesh and the European Investment Bank (EIB) plan to invest 250 million euros to upgrade healthcare services for women and adolescent girls.
Announced on Saturday, 10 October 2026, the Women Health Initiative will run from 2027 through 2031 to reach roughly 47 million women.
Delegates unveiled the plan at a Berlin meeting titled Women Health and Enhancing Healthcare Resilience during the World Health Summit 2026.
Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain and Prime Minister Special Adviser on Health Ziauddin Hyder represented Bangladesh at the event.
The program will boost maternal and newborn care, emergency obstetric services, and treatments for breast and cervical cancer.
Plans also include better primary healthcare facilities, district hospitals, critical care, and patient referral networks.
Furthermore, the project will build better preparedness for future health emergencies and pandemics.
Minister Sakhawat stated that safeguarding the health of women and girls remains vital for the future of Bangladesh.
He added that the government aims to prioritize disease prevention to ensure quality care for all citizens.
Special Adviser Ziauddin noted that this funding shifts the healthcare focus toward disease prevention and promotion.
EIB Vice-President Marek Mora mentioned that investing in women health builds resilient communities and sustainable economic growth.
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and its WomenX Collective program helped design the initiative and will offer technical support.
UNFPA Executive Director Diene Keita stated that the project helps close a long funding gap in women health.
As part of wider health reforms, Bangladesh aims to raise public health spending from 1 percent to 5 percent of gross domestic product.
The administration also plans to hire 100,000 community health workers, with women making up 80 percent of those recruits.
Government facilities will additionally add 25,000 professional midwives.
UNFPA is raising at least 25 million euros in grants for technical assistance, with backing from Germany Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and private partners.