Apply Now

Halida Hanum Akhter
Honorary Professor

MBBS –Dhaka Medical College, Dhaka, Bangladesh
MCPS (OB/GYN) – College of Physicians and Surgeons, Dhaka, Bangladesh
MPH – The Johns Hopkins University, School of Hygiene and Public Health, (Scholarship award from The Pathfinder Fund, Boston), Baltimore, MD, USA
DrPH – The Johns Hopkins University, School of Hygiene and Public Health, Department of Population Dynamics (Scholarship awarded by the Johns Hopkins University), Baltimore, MD, USA

Academic and Administrative:

  • Honorary Professor Department of Reproductive and Child Health Bangladesh University of Health Sciences (BUHS) November 2023 to present.
  • Visiting Professor BRAC James P. Grant School of Public Health BRAC University Mohakhali, and Dhaka, Bangladesh. 2018-2022
  • Adjunct Faculty as Honorary Professor School of Health Science State University of Bangladesh Dhaka Bangladesh, 2018-2019.
  • Guest Lecturer Armed Forces Medical Institute Dhaka, Bangladesh, 1992 – 1995.
  • National Institute of Preventive Social Medicine Bangladesh: lecture in proposal development, Thesis Advisor and Examiner for MPH, MPhil and MS; since 1988;
  • Senior Associate Center for Human Nutrition Department of International Health Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
  • Chief of Party NGO Health Service Delivery Project (NHSDP) and Senior Country Representative Pathfinder International Bangladesh
  • Deputy Project Director and Sr. Technical Advisor Strengthening Facility-Based Services for E2A, Washington DC, USA
  • Global Technical Lead for Family Planning and Reproductive Health (RH) Management Sciences for Health, Arlington, VA, USA
  • Director General Family Planning Association of Bangladesh (FPAB), Dhaka, Bangladesh
  • Founder, Managing Director, and now President (as volunteer) Society for Health Promotion Links (SHPL), Dhaka, Bangladesh
  • Senior Reproductive Health Advisor Partners in Population and Development (PPD) Partners Secretariat, Dhaka, Bangladesh
  • Project Director Ministry of Health MCH Program Co-ordination Cell Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Dhaka, Bangladesh
  • Senior Associate Department of International Health Division of Human Nutrition Bloomberg School of Public Health Johns Hopkins University
  • Director and Founder Bangladesh Institute of Research for Promotion of Essential & Reproductive Health and Technologies (BIRPERHT), Dhaka, Bangladesh
  • MCH FP Specialist The World Bank (Population Health & Nutrition Division 1), Washington DC, USA
  • Program Associate (MCH), The Ford Foundation, Dhaka, Bangladesh
  • Deputy Project Director Mohammadpur Family Planning Model Clinic and Research Center, Dhaka, Bangladesh
  • Medical officer cum Lecturer (govt. post) Training Cum Research Institute (TCRI) Family Planning Board of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
  • Medical Officer Mobile Team Medical officer Urban Clinic IV in Dhaka Family Planning Board of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

List of Publications:

Journal Articles:

  1. Khan AR, Ali AH, Dixon BA, Hanum H. A comparison of minilaparotomy and culdoscopy: Singapore Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 1982; 13:31 37.
  2. Rahman SS, Jabeen S, Malakar M, Rahman S, Khatoon J, Ahmed N, Chowdhury SM, Holck SE, Busca B, Akhter H. Introduction of the injectable contraceptive NET-EN into family planning clinics in Bangladesh. Bulletin of the World Health Organization. 1985;63(4):785.
  3. Bangladesh: Modern methods are well known but not widely used. Published in Progress, WHO, Geneva, No-19, 1991; Akhter HH, Ahmed S.
  4. Bangladesh: Modern methods are well known but not widely used, Published in progress, No-19, WHO Geneva, 1991 Akhter HH, Ahmed S.
  5. Akhter HH, Ahmed S. Determinants of contraceptive continuation in rural Bangladesh. Journal of Biosocial Science. 1992 Apr;24(2):261-8.
  6. Akhter H, Dunson TR, Amatya RN, Begum K, Chowdhury T, Dighe N, Krueger SL, Rahman S. A five-year clinical evaluation of NORPLANTR contraceptive subdermal implants in Bangladeshi acceptors. Contraception. 1993 Jun 1;47(6):569-82.
  7. Rahman MH, Akhter HH, Chowdhury ME, Yusuf HR, Rochat RW. Obstetric deaths in Bangladesh, 1996–1997. International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics. 2002 May 1;77(2):161-9.
  8. Yusuf HR, Akhter HH, Rahman MH, Rochat RW. Injury-related deaths among women aged 10–50 years in Bangladesh, 1996–97. The Lancet. 2000 Apr 8;355(9211):1220-4.
  9. Rochat B, Akhter HH. Tetanus and pregnancy-related mortality in Bangladesh. The Lancet. 1999 Aug 14;354(9178):565.
  10. Amatya R, Akhter H, McMahan J, Williamson N, Gates D, Ahmed Y. The effect of husband counseling on NORPLANT® contraceptive acceptability in Bangladesh. Contraception. 1994 Sep 1;50(3):263-73.
  11. Akhter HH, Chowdhury M and Rahman MM. Community Barriers to Access to Maternal Health Care Rural Bangladesh. Harvard Policy Review, 2008; 8(2):111- 120.
  12. Bari W, Chowdhury RI, Islam MA, Chakraborty N, Akhter HA. The differentials and determinants of perinatal mortality in rural Bangladesh. The European Journal of Contraception & Reproductive Health Care. 2002 Jan 1;7(4):216-22.
  13. Islam MA, Chowdhury RI, Chakraborty N, Bari W, Akhter HH. Factors associated with delivery complications in rural Bangladesh. The European Journal of Contraception & Reproductive Health Care. 2004 Jan 1;9(4):203-13.
  14. Chowdhury RI, Islam MA, Akhter HH, Chakraborty. Analysis of Postpartum Complications in Relation to Selected Delivery Characteristics in Rural Bangladesh. World Health & Population. 2004. doi:10.12927/whp.2004.17639
  15. Chakraborty N, Islam MA, Chowdhury RI, Bari W, Akhter HH. Determinants of the use of maternal health services in rural Bangladesh. Health promotion international. 2003 Dec 1;18(4):327-37.
  16. Gulshan J, Chowdhury RI, Islam MA, Akhter HH. GEE models for maternal morbidity in rural Bangladesh. Austrian Journal of Statistics. 2005;34(3):295-304.
  17. Chowdhury ME, Akhter HH, Chongsuvivatwong V, Geater AF. Neonatal mortality in rural Bangladesh: an exploratory study. Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition. 2005 Mar 1:16-24.
  18. Rahman MH, Mosley WH, Ahmed S, Akhter HH. Does service accessibility reduce socioeconomic differentials in maternity care seeking? Evidence from rural Bangladesh. Journal of Biosocial Science. 2008 Jan;40(1):19-33.
  19. West KP, Christian P, Labrique AB, Rashid M, Shamim AA, Klemm RD, Massie AB, Mehra S, Schulze KJ, Ali H, Ullah B. Effects of vitamin A or beta carotene supplementation on pregnancy-related mortality and infant mortality in rural Bangladesh: a cluster randomized trial. Jama. 2011 May 18;305(19):1986-95.
  20. Zeng W, Halasa YA, Cros M, Akhter H, Nandakumar AK, Shepard DS. Costing essential services package provided by a non-governmental organization network in Bangladesh. Health policy and planning. 2017 Dec 1;32(10):1375-85.
READ MORE......READ LESS

Honors, Awards (international only):

  1. Received Lifetime Achievement Award of “G100 Champions in Health & Wellness” for lifelong contribution in Women’s Healthcare and Wellness November 22nd, 2022 at The Westin Dhaka
  2. 2006 United Nations Population Award in the Individual Category, Dr. Akhter was awarded the in recognition of her outstanding work improving the health and welfare of individuals. She received this award from the United Nations HQ, NY in April, 2006
  3. Received the 2003 Host Country Award for Scientific Achievement presented by the 10th Asian Conference on Diarrhoeal Disease and Nutrition.
  4. Received in 1993 the Outstanding International Alumnus Award for Science/Research from Johns Hopkins University, School of Public Health’s, Society of Alumni, and Baltimore, MD, USA.
  5. The Justus- Liebig University in Giessen, Germany, awarded Dr. Akhter the 1995 Developing Countries Award in recognition of her outstanding contributions to improving the health status of women and children through Scientific work in Family Planning and Health Service Delivery.
  6. In 1993 she was Named Chair of the Asian delegation to “PrepCom II” of ICPD (International Conference on Population and Development) for the United Nations International Conference on Population and Development,
  7. At, PrepCom III of ICPD (International Conference on Population and Development), she was nominated to serve as Vice Chair for Chapter VII, which finalized the vetting and drafting of the chapter (VII), titled Reproductive Health and Reproductive Rights for the “ICPD Programme of Action” document.
  8. Awarded scholarship from Rockefeller Foundation for Epidemic Intelligence (EIS) Course at CDC, Atlanta. (1981-1983)
  9. Dr. Halida received award from Delta Omega Honorary Society, Alpha Chapter, Certificate of Merit in recognition of excellence in student research entitled; “Comparing Subsequent Birth Control Activities of Women Undergoing Induced Abortion and of Other Family Planning Clients,” April 6, 1982.

National Awards and Recognitions (selected from many):

  1. Ononnya Shirsho Dosh. 2006 offered by Aonoyya for contribution in Health
  2. Bagum Rokeya Shining Personality Award 2006, by Narikontho Foundation for contribution in public health protection and family planning
  3. Iconic Award 2022 by ‘Friends and Family’ (3612 Kerry dale Road Woodbridge VA USA) on 27th November 2022 for advocacy contribution during Covid -19.
  4. Crest In recognition of the outstanding contribution to ICCDR,B, as member from July 1993-June 2020, June 200-May 2003; As Co-Chairperson from June 2003- May 2009 of Ethical Review Committee of ICDDR,B, by Dr. Alejandro Cravioto, Executive Director, ICCDR,B
  5. Gono Bishyobiddyaloy, Savar, visiting professor recognition crest. 2019.
  6. ‘Excellence in SRHR Award 2023’ to honor legendary icons for their extraordinary contributions, leadership, and achievements in promoting and realizing Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights by AdSEARCH National Conference 2023: Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights in Bangladesh on 03 May 2023 ICDDR,B ‘

Principal Areas of Research:

  • Maternal morbidity and mortality
  • RH/FP needs and services
  • Abortion
  • Adolescent health and nutrition
  • Contraceptive technology
  • RH policies and guidelines

Society Membership and Leadership; Participation on Advisory Panels:

  • Member of International Medical Advisory Panel (IMAP) at IPPF London for six years during 2001-2006,
  • Member and co-chair of Ethical Review Committee (IRB), ICDDR,B. Dhaka, Bangladesh for six years (1003-2009)
  • Resource faculty in the Course of Epidemiological Methods in Public Health at International Center for Diarrhoeal Diseases Research, Bangladesh (ICDDR,B), Dhaka, Bangladesh since 1991.
  • Organizer and main resource faculty for the training courses on Reproductive Health
  • Epidemiology and Research Methodology offered by BIRPERHT from 1993- 2001.
  • Guest lecturer, NIPSOM, (National Institute for Population and Social Medicine) since 1989.
  • Thesis advisor and guide for MPH, M Phil students at NIPSOM (National Institute for Population and Social Medicine) since 1989.

Participation on Boards and Evaluations:

  • Technical Advisory Board member of Hope Foundation from 2017 to present.
  • Board of Directors of leading global health organizations such as PATH, Seattle, USA and was Chair for five years out of nine years of Board tenure (1998-2007)
  • Board of Directors, Family Health International, North Carolina, USA (1992- 2006)
  • Member of the Dean’s Alumni Council of the School of Public Health of Johns Hopkins University (2006-2012).
  • Member of Evaluation Team for HRP/ World Health Organization, Geneva 2002,
  • Member of Evaluation Team for IPPF Quality of Care project funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, 2003.
  • Member of Contraceptive Safety and Efficacy Task force, WHO, Geneva, 1985-1990.
  • Member, Maternal Child Health committee, Who, Geneva, 1988-1990

Co-chair of Abortion committee, WHO, Geneva, 1993.

  • Member of Post-Marketing Surveillance of Norplant committee and received grant to conduct a study in Bangladesh under BIRPERHT as it Director 1996-2000,
  • Medical Eligibility Criteria (MEC) Review Committee, WHO, Geneva, 1995-2000.
  • In Bangladesh:
  • Member, National Technical Committee of Director General Family planning of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Bangladesh Government Highest body to approve technical issues in family planning, maternal and neonatal health of the program February 2014, continuing.
  • Member, Technical Advisory Group (TAG) on DFID Grant for Innovation and Quality of Care in MNCH TAG is to review, select, approve and monitor the research conducted to implement innovative approaches to address MNCH challenges in Bangladesh. February 2013.
  • Member; Steering Committee on Sexual Health and Reproductive Rights; CSO consultative body for developing a position paper for the ESCAP/CSO Beijing Plus Twenty meeting organized by NGO/ Swedish SIDA September, 2014-continuing;
  • Member, Advisory committee; Bangladesh Health Watch Report 2016, Non communicable Diseases in Bangladesh: current scenario and Future Directions, BRAC.
  • Member, Advance Family Planning (AFP) Advocacy Advisory Group Planning host organization is Marie Stopes, Bangladesh; (the main purpose of the Group is to further enable
  • partners for family planning (FP) in Bangladesh and co-ordinate efficiently and practicably for improving the Family Planning in Bangladesh) from 2016 –continuing.
  • Member, Reproductive Health Supplies Coalition, http://www.rhsupplies.org/about_us/who_we_are/members.html
  • Member of Bangladesh Medical Research Council, Bangladesh, form 1998-2001.
  • Chairman of Bangladesh Women’s Health Coalition, Bangladesh, from 1993- 2005.
  • Member, Gender Task Force of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and Ministry of Children and Women’s affairs. Form 1995-2000.
  • Member of Ethical Review Committee of ICDDR,B from 2005-2009;
  • Chairperson, Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) of Breastfeeding Foundation (BFF), Dhaka, from 1990-1995;
  • Member, Research Committees of NIPORT (National Institute for Population Research and Training); from 1990-2001.
  • Member of Joint evaluation team of USAID and The Ford Foundation in Bangladesh, 1985.

Named Lectureships:

  • Speaker: APHA’s 2020 VIRTUAL Annual Meeting and Expo, 2020 Title: Abortion-seeking practices among women who died of pregnancy-related causes in rural Bangladesh: Evidence from verbal autopsy investigations.
  • Speaker: APHA’s 2020 VIRTUAL Annual Meeting and Expo, 2020 Title: Violence, neglect and injustice in seeking obstetric care before death among rural Bangladeshi women: Evidence from verbal autopsies. as part of Women’s Caucus; Session title: Health Disparities Among Women in Low- and Middle-Income Countries
  • Key note Speaker: ‘Women’s Reproductive health: Covid-19 Milieu’ Bangladesh International Medical Students’ Scientific Conference, 2020
  • Speaker as a Special Guest, Bangladesh 5th National Youth Conference on Family Planning 2020, Dhaka, Bangladesh + Virtual, 2020 SERAC-Bangladesh together with the Bangladesh Youth Health Action Network (BYHAN), UNFPA Bangladesh, Right Here Right Now (RHRN) Bangladesh
  • Facilitated Workshop on ‘mental health lab’ with Johns Hopkins faculty, 2021.
  • Panelist: ‘SRH Services in Bangladesh: Accelerating Progress’ in 28th International Scientific Conference 2019 of Obstetrics and gynecological society of Bangladesh (OGSB), Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh
  • Panel speaker: ‘Adolescent Pregnancy-Neglected issue in South Asian region’ in Sea Symposium-IV (Adolescent Health), Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, 2019
  • Lecture on “Reproductive Health in Bangladesh: Success Stories and Unfinished Agenda” MPH Program Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) and the dean of the department of MPH and Informatics, 2019.
  • Speaker: Midwifery conference, Cox’s Bazaar organized by Hope Foundation, 2019 Oral presentation-1: “Reproductive Health in Bangladesh: Success Story and Unfinished Agenda”; Oral presentation-2: “Midwife– an entrepreneur”.
  • Lecture on ‘Family planning saves lives’ at ‘World Family Planning Day’ celebration ceremony, 2019 Anwar Khan Medical College in collaboration with Marie Stopes – a JHU Advance Family Planning project in Bangladesh; Steering committee member.
  • Lecture on ‘Report writing, Dissemination of Findings and Manuscript Preparation’- organized by AXIS Medical School, Dhaka “Research Methodology & Scientific article writing”, 2019
  • Keynote Speaker – ‘Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights among Readymade Garments Workers (RMG) in Bangladesh’ National conference on SRHR at workplace organized by Department of Population Sciences, University of Dhaka.
  • Moderated three APHA Oral session at the APHA’s 2019 Annual Meeting and Expo, Philadelphia, PA, USA Title: Community Approaches to Improving the Health Outcomes of Immigrants
  • Title: Reproductive Health and Family Planning: Addressing Unmet Need for Services
    Title: Community-Health Systems Partnerships to Improve Health
    Session

Speaker in Webinar:

  • Shared Bangladesh country case study in a webinar under the USAID Health Sector Resiliency (HSR) Project in Afghanistan along with Dr. Wu Zeng, Professor at Brandeis University and Technical Advisor at Palladium.
  • Speaker on Adolescent Health in 26th International Scientific Conference Obstetrics and Gynecology Society of Bangladesh, Moulvibazar, 2017
  • Presented on ‘Challenges in implementing urban primary care’ in BRAC conference on Urban PHC challenges, 2017
  • CEO Roundtables for Emerging Leaders: Lessons Learnt from USAID-DFID NGO Health Service Delivery Project (NHSDP) on Angel Model (adolescent newly married girl’s events of life) intervention. International Conference on Family Planning, Nusa Dua, Indonesia, 2015
  • Marketplace of Ideas Presentation during the International Conference on Family Planning, Nusa Dua, Indonesia, 2015. Presented on behalf of USAID-DFID NGO Health Service Delivery Project
  • Co-moderator: Capitalizing on the promise of Community Health Worker programs, 2015
  • Moderator: Health system issues and family planning services
  • Speaker: 12th International Conference on Urban Health in Dhaka, Bangladesh, 2015: a) Linking Community & Facility: NHSDP urban model b) NHSDP Overview of Maternal & Child Health: NHSDP Service Delivery Model to attract Target Population c) Role of NGOs in Delivery of Health Care Services.
  • Chair and Presenter: ICUH 2015 ‘Urban Health for Sustainable Future: Post 2015’ Integrating Essential Service Package with HIV/STI prevention, testing and counseling Services, ICAAP Satellite Session, 2015, Bangabandhu International Conference Center, Dhaka, Bangladesh
  • Keynote speaker: on ‘Public Health’ at 1st Global Health Festival. Organized by American International University, Bangladesh, 2014
  • Session Speaker: ‘Quality Family Planning Services’The 9th Asia Pacific Conference on ‘Reproductive and Sexual Health and Rights’ (APCSRHR), Vietnam, 2017

Speech as Special Guest:

  • The Perinatal Care Project (PCP) End of Project Dissemination Meeting on ‘Improving Maternal and Newborn Health by Community Mobilization In 3 Unions of Bogra District – The Perinatal Care Project Experience’, 2017
  • Technical Session-III. South South Cooperation; A Viable “Global Partnership Between Governments of Developing Countries; In support of Every Woman Every Child and Every Adolescent for the realization of the SDGs; PPD; Dhaka, Bangladesh, 2016
  • Panel Speaker: the 7th International Seminar for South-South Cooperation on NGO Capacity Building in Population and Reproductive Health, Xiamen, China, 2016
    Organizers: National Health and Family Planning Commission of China (NHFPC); International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF); International Council on Management of Population Programme (ICOMP); China Family Planning Association.
  • Session Speaker: the International Conference: Mobilization of Fistula Through NHSDP Surjer Hashi (SH) Clinics; Hope Maternal Health and Fistula, by Hope Foundation, Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, 2016
  • Plenary Session Key Note Presenter: ‘Exclusion – the Violence of Stigma under the Theme; Gender Equality: Responding to the 3rd zero’ 12th International Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific (ICAAP12), Dhaka, Bangladesh, 2016.
  • Session Speaker: ‘Integrating Essential Service Package With HIV/STI Prevention, Testing and Counseling Services’
  • Session speaker: HIV-ESP integration, a promising service delivery model to reach the Unreached in low HIV prevalent setting 12th International Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific (ICAAP12), Dhaka, Bangladesh, 2016.
  • Panel Speaker on ‘How to improve the quality of life of emerging menopausal women’ Obstetrics and Gynecological Society of Bangladesh (OGSB) International conference, Dhaka, 2016
  • Panel Speaker on ‘NHSDP Portfolio for women & girls: Connecting Community and Facility’, 14th World Congress on Public Health; Healthy People and Healthy Environment, Kolkata, India, 2015
  • Key Note Speaker: A Viable ‘Global Partnership Between Governments of Developing Countries’ In support of Every Woman Every Child and Every Adolescent for the realization of the SDGs. South to South Cooperation. International conference organized by Partners in Population and Development (PPD), Dhaka, Bangladesh, 2015
  • Key note speaker: Preventing maternal and child deaths, Dhaka Journalist’s workshop interactive discussion content, Dhaka Bangladesh, 2015
  • Speaker as Special Guest at Scientific Seminar on ‘Prevention of Brain Aging’ at the World Menopause, 2015
  • Moderator of the Launching of Lancet series in Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh, 2013
  • Asia Regional Meeting on Interventions for Impact in Essential Obstetric and Newborn Care held by USAID’s global MCHIP program, 2012, Dhaka, Bangladesh Deputy Project Director & Senior Advisor, Facility Based Services EVIDENCE TO ACTION PROJECT (E2A); Chaired a session on New WHO guidelines for PE/E
  • Speaker: Women Deliver 2010; Strengthening health systems for MNCH results: best practices
  • Keynote Speaker at American International University Bangladesh (AIUB) 1st Conference for Young Public Health Professionals, Dhaka, 2014
  • Primary Health Care Services for Maternal & Child Health in Urban Settings: ‘Success Stories from Bangladesh’ International conference on Urban Health, Dhaka, Bangladesh, 2015
  • Panel Speaker: Unfinished agenda for Healthier women in International Conference on “Promoting Family Planning and Maternal Health for Poverty Alleviation”, Yogyakarta, Indonesia, 2010
  • Selected presentation prior to 2010:
  • Speaker as Award Recipient: United Nations Population Award in the Individual Category, United Nations, NY, USA, 2006
  • Keynote speech: Global Health Council, Washington DC; on Envisioning a Healthier Dialogue on Reproductive Health, 2006
  • Keynote Speech: World Population Day by UNAB, Dhaka Bangladesh, 2007
  • Speaker at the conference on ‘Expanding Access: Advancing the Roles of Midlevel Providers in Menstrual Regulation and Elective Abortion Care’, South Africa, 2001. Midlevel Provider in menstrual regulation, Bangladesh experience; Halida Akhter; Director, BIRPERHT, Bangladesh

Peer Reviewer:

  • International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics
  • American Journal of Public Health
  • Medical Research Council, United Kingdom
  • BMC Health Services Research and BioMed Central
  • Contraception
  • Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition