Maternal and Child Health Foundation — Bangladesh · Global Research to Action
rripon@mchforum.org+8801613335184
Bangladesh · Evidence for Action

Science for
Healthier Communities

A public health research foundation translating rigorous science into equitable health outcomes for every community in Bangladesh.

See Our Impact ↓Partner With Us
📄
28+
Publications
🏆
6
Awards
🌍
3
Continents
👥
170M
People Served
Community Transformation

What Changes When We Arrive

The foundation's research-to-action model directly transforms health outcomes across Bangladesh's communities.

01
🤰
Maternal Mortality Crisis

165 deaths per 100k live births — among highest in South Asia. 58% skilled birth attendance only.

MMR per 100k165
02
🌫️
Air Pollution Crisis

Dhaka AQI averages 187 (Unhealthy). 4th worst air quality globally.

Avg AQI Dhaka187
03
💧
Arsenic Contamination

20+ million Bangladeshis consume arsenic-contaminated water daily.

Affected pop20M+
04
❤️
NCD Crisis

Cardiovascular disease causes 27% of all deaths.

CVD deaths %27%
05
🧠
Mental Health Gap

97% treatment gap for mental health conditions.

Treatment gap97%
06
💉
Vaccine Hesitancy

HPV vaccine awareness below 20%.

HPV awareness18%
01
🤰
Maternal Health Progress

Research shaping national MCH policy. Target: ≤89 per 100k by 2030.

Target MMR≤89
02
🌿
Environmental Research

10+ papers published on BD environmental health.

Papers published10+
03
💧
WASH Advocacy

Arsenic research informing government policy.

Policy influenceActive
04
❤️
NCD Research

6+ CVD papers linking toxic metals to cardiovascular outcomes.

Papers published6+
05
🧠
Mental Health Action

5 districts piloting CHW psychosocial training.

Active districts5
06
💉
Vaccine Confidence

HPV awareness campaigns active in 3 districts.

Active districts3
Research Programs

Our Focus Areas

Each program targets a critical gap in Bangladesh's health system — grounded in data, driven by science.

165
Maternal Deaths per 100k
Target: ≤89
187
Dhaka AQI (Unhealthy)
4th worst globally
20M+
Arsenic-affected
Largest globally
27%
CVD Deaths
Sharply rising
97%
Mental Health Gap
H4A addressing
01
🤰
Maternal & Child Health

Reducing maternal/infant mortality through skilled birth attendance, prenatal care.

Challenge → H4A Response
⚠️ 58% skilled births rural
✅ Shaping national policy
02
🌿
Environmental Exposure

Air pollution, heavy metals, PFAS — investigating health effects.

Challenge → H4A Response
⚠️ No PFAS monitoring
✅ JAMA 2025 paper
03
❤️
Cardiovascular & NCDs

Building NCD screening capacity linked to toxic metal exposures.

Challenge → H4A Response
⚠️ 27% deaths from CVD
✅ 6+ research papers
04
🧠
Mental Health

Reducing stigma, integrating psychosocial support into primary care.

Challenge → H4A Response
⚠️ 97% treatment gap
✅ 5 district pilots
05
💧
Clean Water & WASH

Addressing arsenic contamination and sanitation gaps.

Challenge → H4A Response
⚠️ 20M+ on arsenic water
✅ Policy briefs submitted
06
📡
Digital Health

Telemedicine solutions and digital CHW training.

Challenge → H4A Response
⚠️ 60% lack specialist access
✅ Framework in development
Ongoing Research

Flagship Projects

Evidence-driven studies addressing Bangladesh's most urgent public health challenges.

Flood Risk Study
Socioeconomic and Health Disparities Associated with Flood Risk in Bangladesh
View Paper
Sanitation Study
Household Sanitation infrastructure and Antibiotic Utilization Patterns Among Children Under Five in Bangladesh
View Paper
Handgrip Study
Handgrip Strength and Cardiometabolic Risk Factors among Adults in Bangladesh – Cross sectional study
View Paper
Air Pollution Study
Exposure to freeway air pollution and its health impacts on slum dwellers in dhaka, Bangladesh
View Paper
Asthma Study
Prevalence of asthma in Bangladesh
View Paper
HPV Study
Cervical cancer, HPV and HPV vaccine knowledge and willingness to be vaccinated among Bangladeshi girls
View Paper
Latest Updates

Live Public Health News

Real-time · Global Sources

Real-time news from trusted global sources. Click any card to read the full article.

Loading latest health news...
📡 Sources: WHO, CDC, The Lancet, BMJ | Updated in real-time
Measurable Change

Our Impact So Far

28+
Peer-reviewed
Publications
6
International
Awards
5
Active District
Pilots
170M
People We
Serve
Leadership

Meet Our Founders

Rezaul Karim Ripon
Rezaul Karim Ripon
Founder & Executive Director
🎓
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public HealthEpidemiologist
🏆
AHA Paul Dudley White Scholar 2025International Research Award
📘
ISCHE Research to Action FellowGlobal Health Leadership
🌍
APHA Climate Leadership AwardEnvironmental Health Advocacy
"Health is not a privilege for the few — it is a fundamental right for all."
Jhuma Akter
Jhuma Akter
Co-Founder & Director, Women's Health
👩‍⚕️
Maternal & Child Health SpecialistWomen-Led Health Initiatives
🏅
50+ Community Health ProgramsGrassroots Implementation
📋
CV & Public Health LeadershipOver 50 Publications & Reports
🤝
Advocate for Gender EquityBridging Policy & Community
"Empowering women and communities is the foundation of lasting health equity."

"Our dual leadership — combining global research expertise with grassroots women's health advocacy — ensures that Maternal and Child Health Foundation addresses health challenges from the lab to the last mile."

— Rezaul Karim Ripon & Jhuma Akter, Co-Founders
Get Involved

Partner With Us

Join us in building a healthier Bangladesh through research, advocacy, and community action.

📍
Our Location

Dhaka, Bangladesh
Global Research Network

📧
Email Us

rripon@mchforum.org
rripon@hsph.harvard.edu

🔗
Partners

MCH Forum Bangladesh · The Butterfly Project Inc.
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

Send a Message