Eastern Bank partners with icddr,b for healthcare waste management

Eastern Bank signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on healthcare waste management through sustainable and environmentally friendly practices with the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b).

Ali Reza Iftekhar, managing director and CEO of the bank, and Shams El Arifeen, acting executive director and senior director of the maternal and child health division at icddr,b, inked the MoU at the bank's head office in Dhaka on Wednesday, read a press release.

Under this partnership, both organisations will host workshops and seminars across the country to share their expertise in sustainable waste management with healthcare leaders and government officials.

It also includes developing and updating icddr,b's policies and standard operating procedures in line with sustainable practices.

"Solid biohazardous medical waste poses a significant challenge for Bangladesh and the management of medical waste is still in its early stages. We are very happy to partner with icddr, b in this timely initiative," said Iftekhar.

"This collaboration with Eastern Bank is a testament to the importance of corporate responsibility in fostering sustainable healthcare practices. It marks a crucial step towards an eco-friendly approach in healthcare waste management," said Arifeen.

Among others, Ahmed Shaheen, additional managing director of the bank, Ziaul Karim, head of communications and external affairs, were present alongside Asadul Ghani, head of biosafety, biorepository and containment lab at icddr,b, Md Fazlul Kabir, head of clinical and diagnostic services, and Armana Ahmed, head of development.