Damien Foundation, Bangladesh
A Belgian non-denominational and pluralistic NGO founded in 1964, Damien Foundation is dedicated to the fight against Leprosy and Tuberculosis (TB) until these are no longer a threat to public health. The Foundation is active in 16 countries across Asia (Bangladesh, India, Nepal), Africa (DR of Congo, Burundi, Rwanda, Nigeria, Niger, Guinea, Mozambique, Comoros & Senegal), Latin America (Nicaragua, Guatemala & Bolivia), and Europe (Belgium).
Damien Foundation has been active in Bangladesh since 1972, initially in the field of Leprosy and since 1991, also in the fight against Tuberculosis. The Foundation works in close collaboration with the National Tuberculosis Control Program (NTP) and National Leprosy Program (NLP), the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoH&FW), Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh. This collaboration is based on a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between National Tuberculosis Control Program on behalf of the GoB and LTCC (Leprosy & Tuberculosis Coordinating Committee). The Damien Foundation Bangladesh operates as a non-political organization registered with the NGO Affairs Bureau, Govt. of Bangladesh, under the Foreign Donations (Voluntary Activities) Regulations Ordinance 1978.
The Foundation is a member of the International Federation of Anti-Leprosy Associations (ILEP), which coordinates the activities of organizations active in leprosy control and care worldwide. Damien Foundation also contributes to operational and epidemiological research projects. The scholarly publications produced by these research projects aid in developing national and international leprosy and TB policy recommendations.