Eastern Bank provides Tk 46 lakh aid to Friendship

Eastern Bank PLC (EBL) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Friendship, a non-governmental organisation in Bangladesh, to expand access to essential healthcare and safe drinking water for vulnerable communities across the country.

Under Friendship’s Char Surgery Access Programme, the partnership will bring specialist surgical care to isolated river island communities in northern Bangladesh. More than 1,000 surgeries are planned under the initiative, aiming to restore sight, mobility, dignity and quality of life for patients who often have little or no access to specialised medical treatment.

Ahmed Shaheen, additional managing director of Eastern Bank PLC, and Runa Khan, founder and executive director of Friendship, signed the MoU at the bank’s head office in Dhaka recently, according to a press release.

Later, Shaheen handed over a cheque of Tk 46 lakh to Khan, marking the start of the collaboration. Speaking at the event, Shaheen said Friendship plays an instrumental role in humanitarian service through its fleet of floating hospitals.

He added that EBL is pleased to support initiatives that address healthcare gaps while helping communities adapt to the adverse impacts of climate change.

Khan said the partnership combines two urgent priorities for vulnerable communities: access to essential surgical care and safe drinking water.

By addressing both, she said, the initiative will improve health and quality of life while strengthening resilience among communities facing exclusion and climate vulnerability.

Muhammed Shameem Reza, senior director of, legal and chief financial officer of the NGO; Kazi Amdadul Hoque, senior director and head of strategy, planning and climate action; Rafi Abul Hasnath Siddique, deputy director for health; and Enamul Haque, assistant director partnership development; attended the event.

Ziaul Karim, head of communications and external Affairs of the bank; Md Abdullah Al Mamun, company secretary; Major (retired) Md Abdus Salam, head of administration; and Md Maskur Reza, head of business information systems, among others, were also present.