Remarks

Speech by Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. Judith A. Chammas at NGO Services Delivery Program TV Serial Sneak Preview And Corporate Responsibility Event

Dhaka

August 29, 2005

Assalamu Alaikum and Namoshkar. Good evening ladies and gentlemen. It is my pleasure to be here this evening for this exciting sneak preview of NSDP’s new TV drama serial, Enechhi Shurjer Hashi or “Bringing the Smiling Sun”.

I am also glad to have this opportunity to speak about the important work of NDSP in Bangladesh.  NSDP is USAID Dhaka’s largest health program.  That fact alone speaks to the importance that we, the US Mission in Dhaka, attach to the provision of high-quality health care for Bangladeshis, especially for the poor.

Ensuring health care for the poor is critical to the economic and social development of Bangladesh.  And from the point of view of corporate profitability, we all know, of course, that the good health of the workforce can only help improve the bottom line.  Providing excellent health care is not necessarily a function simply of charitable organizations and international donor agencies.  The health of a nation is an essential building block for its development and prosperity.

This is why the US Government provides assistance through programs like NSDP.  The US Mission in Dhaka is pleased to cooperate with the Government of Bangladesh in this regard.  It has been our privilege, over the years, to work with the public sector here, and to play our part in helping to improve the level of health care in Bangladesh.

As this country’s economy continues to grow and expand, it is only appropriate that all stakeholders in the provision of health care services here will look increasingly to the private sector for assistance.  We all have a role to play.  Working together, we can help ensure a better, brighter, healthier future for all in Bangladesh, and we can work to mitigate the sometimes awful costs of epidemics and disease. 

Programs such as NSDP offer you, the leading lights of the private sector in Bangladesh, the opportunity to make a difference.  I hope you’ll take the opportunity this evening to get to know NSDP and the “Smiling Sun” NGOs and begin to think about how you can build a relationship with them that will promote good health and economic development in Bangladesh.

Thank you.

 

Note:  A Bangla translation of this article is also available from the American Center.  If you are interested in the translation, please call the American Center Press Section (Tel: 8813440-4, Fax: 9881677; e-mail: DhakaPA@state.gov; Website: dhaka.usembassy.gov