Bangladesh lacks sufficient hospitals and health facilities for its growing population. Though Bangladesh has made impressive progress in basic childhood immunization, leprosy control, family planning, and promotion of tube wells for drinking water, more care and teaching is needed. Much illness and death is due to malnutrition, poor sanitation, lack of obstetrics services, high rates of tobacco use, and road traffic injuries. Malaria-spreading mosquitoes thrive in the wet climate and kill many Bangladeshis each year. Pneumonia, diarrhea, typhoid, tuberculosis, and parasites continue to be common while diabetes, heart disease, and strokes are increasing rapidly.
Along with tertiary care, the Malumghat Hospital Project emphasizes community health, essential obstetric care, essential newborn care, preventative education, and training primary care providers. The goal is to meet needs of the whole person, to benefit Bangladeshis from all communities and all levels of society.
