Urban public health project reviewed for key success

The growing concerns over equitable access to preventive healthcare in Bangladesh’s expanding cities, an insights dissemination workshop on an urban health initiative in Dhaka on 1 July 2026 has underscored the need to strengthen frontline services for city residents, particularly low-income communities.

The event, titled the Insights Dissemination Workshop for the “Improvement of Urban Public Health Preventive Services Project (IUPHPSP)” is held 1 July 2026, at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel, Dhaka. Discussions centre on project achievements, lessons learned, and strategic directions aimed at reinforcing preventive healthcare systems across major city corporations in Bangladesh.

Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Honorable Minister for the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives (LGRD & Cooperatives), attends as Chief Guest.

He stresses the government’s commitment to reshaping urban health systems, stating that ensuring preventive health services for city dwellers, especially low-income communities, remains a top priority. He further notes that insights from the IUPHPSP will inform future policy direction to develop resilient urban healthcare networks.

Representing the development partner, the World Bank, World Bank Senior Operations Officer and Task Team Leader of IUPHPSP Iffat Mahmud presents data-driven assessments of the project’s impact.

She highlights the importance of sustainable financing mechanisms alongside technological integration in strengthening urban public health delivery.

Local city administration representatives also share field-level experiences. Md. Shafiqul Islam Khan, Administrator of Dhaka North City Corporation, Abdus Salam, Administrator of Dhaka South City Corporation, and Dr. Shahadat Hossain, Honorable Mayor of Chattogram City Corporation, highlight both operational challenges and progress in expanding preventive healthcare networks at the local level.
Further technical and administrative contributions are made by senior officials of the Local Government Division (LGD), including Md. Mahmudul Hasan, NDC (Director General, LGD), Parimal Sarkar, Rabiul Islam, and Ziaur Rahman, who provide inputs on urban development and project implementation under the Local Government Division.

Technical findings are also presented by project consultants, including Md. Aminul Islam, Dr. Md. Billal Hossain, Dr. Moh. Sher Ali, Mr. SM Abdul Mottalib, Rajib Chowdhury, Md. Zahid Hossain, Mr. Shams Uddin Md. Rafi, Dr. Sharmin Mizan PhD, Md. Salauddin Ahmed, Mr. AJ Minhaj Uddin Ahmad, and Md. Enamul Hoque.

The workshop is presided over by Abul Khair Mohammad Hafizullah Khan, who serves as Joint Secretary of the Local Government Division and Project Director of IUPHPSP. In his concluding remarks, he expresses appreciation to the World Bank, relevant ministries, city corporations, and consultants for their coordinated efforts in advancing urban public health standards across Bangladesh.