In December 2023, during the launch of a book on the progress of the health sector of Bangladesh at McGill University in Canada, I was introduced to Bangladeshi microbiologist Dr Senjuti Saha by a professor there.
Later, she accepted my invitation to Bangladesh House in Ottawa, where she told me about the activities of the Child Health Research Foundation (CHRF), the organisation established by her father Dr Samir Kumar Saha and where she is currently working.
A month and a half later, when I visited Dhaka, Dr. Senjuti Saha invited me to CHRF. Given my experience in working with public health issues at the World Health Organization, she requested me to address the young researchers of the organisation.
Moreover, it gave me an opportunity to observe CHRF's activities.
There, I first met her father, the famous microbiologist and Ekushey Padak awardee Dr Samir Kumar Saha, who told me the story of how he transformed CHRF from a broken table on the balcony of Dhaka Shishu (Children's) Hospital into the state-of-the-art research institute it is today.
He also shared his vision surrounding CHRF that he and her daughter have been realizing through unwavering dedication and unyielding perseverance.
The story behind the establishment of CHRF is likely unknown to many. After completing his studies in microbiology at the University of Dhaka, Dr Samir Kumar Saha joined Dhaka Shishu (Children's) Hospital as a technician in 1983.
Back then, there were no departments in government hospitals dealing with complex subjects like medical microbiology.
Then he went for higher studies abroad in 1985. After completing his PhD in medical microbiology, he returned to the country and rejoined Dhaka Shishu (Children's) Hospital in 1989 the day after his PhD defense.
Due to the lack of necessary laboratory facilities and infrastructure, this young and promising scientist began working alone, sitting on a chair on the balcony of Dhaka Shishu (Children's) Hospital.
He witnessed hundreds of children dying from infectious diseases such as sepsis, pneumonia, meningitis, and typhoid.
Recognizing the inadequacy of the data collection and research needed to better understand the transmission of these preventable diseases, he initiated efforts to prevent their transmission through necessary research, by ensuring the most optimal and rational use of available resources leading to the evidence based treatment.
He ultimately institutionalised this initiative in 2007 by establishing CHRF.
Currently, the prevention of infectious diseases among children is being pursued through state-of-the-art laboratories established in CHRF headquarters and four major children's hospitals across the country under CHRF's initiative. Already, using data from CHRF's research, the government has succeeded in reducing child mortality by including Hib and PCV vaccines in the national immunization program.
Like her father, Dr. Senjuti Saha also had the urge to do something for the people of the country. However, she was diagnosed with cancer when she was doing her PhD at the renowned University of Toronto, Canada.
Dr Saha displayed immense courage and resilience, persevering through her treatment while simultaneously completing her PhD on schedule. In 2016, she returned to Bangladesh, driven by a deep desire to serve the underprivileged, just like her father.
She joined CHRF and within a year, established the state-of-the-art Genomics Center. In 2020, researchers led by Dr. Senjuti Saha successfully decoded the genome sequence of a new coronavirus collected from samples obtained in Bangladesh.
The center has already successfully sequenced the genome of over 6,000 bacteria, fungi, and viruses, enabling significant advancements in the prevention and treatment of various diseases caused by these organisms.
CHRF has initiated the "Building Scientists for Bangladesh" program to actively encourage the younger generation to engage in research, fostering a future generation of scientists. This initiative is truly commendable.
The program also places special emphasis on involving women in research, recognising the additional social obstacles they face in pursuing such careers. This targeted approach is crucial, as women globally lag behind in science education and research opportunities.
By providing necessary support and opportunities, programs like this can play a significant role in leveling the playing field and unleashing the full potential of women in the scientific field. I believe that through the implementation of such programs by CHRF, Bangladesh will have more women scientists like Dr Senjuti Saha.
We are fortunate that our Hon’ble Prime Minister has taken various steps to ensure the participation and empowerment of all individuals, especially women, at all levels of development.
Most recently, at the 9th International Day of Women and Girls in Science Assembly of the United Nations, she highlighted that "we need more women and girls in science for a just, inclusive, and sustainable future and we must have the right policies and institutions for young women to choose a career in science and technology."
After visiting CHRF, my understanding is that we have many emerging and talented young women researchers who will contribute significantly to scientific research in Bangladesh if given appropriate opportunities through the implementation of the right policies.
Despite the presence of numerous hospitals in Bangladesh, there remains a significant absence of a research culture and the necessary infrastructure to support it. Hon’ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina established 18,000 community clinics across the country to provide healthcare services at the grassroots level in the last one and a half decades.
I believe that Community Clinics may help in filling the existing ‘Data Gap’ needed for research. To achieve this, we must strategically enhance the infrastructure and technical capacity of these clinics and connect them to organisations like CHRF and other health-related research institutes through a unified network system for exchange of data and information.
I think by connecting these Community Clinics with relevant government institutions, international organizations, and universities from home and abroad, we can enhance the quality of health-related research in Bangladesh and contribute to more impactful healthcare outcomes.
I also believe that Community Clinics can become the "nucleus” of Bangladesh's Universal Health Coverage (UHC). For this, we need to work a lot by formulating appropriate policies.
Unfortunately, research in Bangladesh's health sector, beyond a few notable institutions like CHRF and icddr,b, still lags behind in many areas. The scope of research is often limited, and the sector suffers from inadequate government funding. This lack of support hinders further progress and innovation.
One of the main reasons for this is the absence of government initiatives regarding research and the lack of policies or proper implementation thereof. These issues need to be resolved quickly.
CHRF is working to bring hospitals across the country under the same network to create infrastructure to carry out research in microbiology and save lives by training new generation of microbiologists.
I believe CHRF can act as a catalyst of government research efforts in biotechnology. The government may actively consider working in partnership with CHRF in this regard.
Dr Samir Kumar Saha and Dr Senjuti Saha, despite having good opportunities abroad, returned to the country after completing their studies to serve the people.
They have established organizations like CHRF, whose mission is “to prevent infections, save lives with data and advocacy, and to build the next generation of scientists” to ensure that the people of Bangladesh get quality and standard treatment comparable to those available in the developed world.
Nowadays, many young students go to Western countries every year for higher education and stay there for a better life.
However, Dr Senjuti Saha is an exception to this trend. After getting cured from Cancer, Dr. Senjuti Saha embarked on a new chapter in her life, dedicated to the welfare of the people of Bangladesh.
Her dream is to transform CHRF into an institution where patients can access diagnostic services that are currently difficult or impossible to obtain in the country at an affordable cost.
This center will not only provide test reports but all the necessary services a patient requires in times of need, as Dr Senjuti Saha got during her cancer treatment in Toronto. Currently, CHRF sends many samples abroad for testing.
Capacity building of CHRF through public and private support may enable the testing of these samples within the country in the future. This will save time and foreign currency.
The government should engage in proper policy-making and increase allocation to the health sector to enhance the capacity of institutions like CHRF.
Without the development of the health sector, the overall sustainable development of the country will not be possible.
"Health is inextricably linked to development" – if this principle is not acknowledged or if measures such as increasing adequate investment in the health sector are not taken, sustainable development cannot be achieved.
Another crucial aspect is the placement of the right people in the right positions, a practice which is rare in Bangladesh.
Efficient management of the health sector should be ensured by appointing individuals with background and experience in the health system and the health sector. Setting priorities is also essential.
Misplaced priorities lead to the wastage of limited resources and time, which must be stopped to ensure the optimal utilization of available scarce resources.
The writer is the Bangladesh High Commission in Canada. He can be contacted at [email protected]
