Fellowship Site: Dhaka, Bangladesh

Translating knowledge from research into policy using strategic health programs, many research priorities are cross cutting, which allows basic research to rapidly influence policy applications and action if the evidence supports meaningful public health benefit.

The urban Dhaka and rural Matlab Hospitals at ICDDR,B provide the clinical services to complement the development of lifesaving solutions. The hospitals are aligned with ICDDR,B’s strategic research goals and provide an opportunity for scientists and health professionals to co-operate on research, treatment, training and development while delivering quality health services to the people of Bangladesh.

The Laboratory Sciences Division has state of the art laboratories specializing in acute respiratory infections, enteric microbiology, environmental microbiology, immunology, molecular genetics, nutritional biochemistry, parasitology, sexually transmitted diseases, tuberculosis and virology. The Division also has a strong service component including clinical microbiology, pathology, molecular and serodiagnostics, biochemistry, and animal resources. The Division has a DNA sequencer, quantitative PCR machine, ultracentrifuge, FACS, gene microarray reader and other relevant equipment for different research purposes. Every unit of Laboratory Sciences has skilled scientific staff who can act as mentors for foreign trainees.

Research opportunities:

Below are examples of the mostly cited areas of interest for training at ICDDR,B during the past three years:

·        COPD and air pollution

·        Medicine, obstetrics, and pediatrics

·        Field experience in family planning

·        Biochemistry, microbiology, serology laboratories

·        Surveillance

·        Nutritional program

·        Cohort studies

·        Arsenic contamination        

·        Self care and social support among elderly

·        Infant feeding research on DD acute respiratory

·        Molecular biology

·        Vitamin deficiency among pregnant women in rural areas

·        Iron and vitamin A deficiencies

Housing/Meals/Transportation: 

Student Welfare will assist scholars in choosing the most suitable accommodation within easy distance to the Centre. Options include renting with a local or expatriate family ($350-400 per month), independent furnished apartments ($1000 per month, plus utilities), ICDDR,B student apartment ($425 per month) or Guest House ($60 per night).

Health Issues:

The Centre operates a Traveller's clinic, staffed with both national and foreign physicians. First-line emergency care is readily available. NIH/FICRS requires trainees to visit a physician before leaving for assignment abroad. Students are required to take out adequate Medical Insurance and Emergency Evacuation Insurance for the duration of their stay, and to ensure all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date. For more information see the U.S. Centers for Disease Control website and The Yellow Book: Health Information for International Travel.  

Safety Issues:

A degree of caution is advised when in Bangladesh. Following usual precautions regarding travelling or staying in unknown areas and encountering new situations, common sense and the usual safety measures that apply in any country worldwide will prevent most problems. Registering with the Embassy will ensure you receive news of any unstable situations or high risk events that should be avoided. See the U.S. State Department site for information.

Language requirement other than English:

No, though a little Bengali may be advantageous. Language lessons are not available within the program but are easily available at low cost in Dhaka.

What is it like to live in Bangladesh?

Dhaka is a large city lacking much of the infrastructure expected of other similar sized cities. ICDDR,B is located in a congested commercial area, a couple of miles south of the main expatriate residential areas in Gulshan and Baridhara. These areas offer restaurants and clubs offering sports facilities with temporary memberships for visitors.

Bangladesh has a tropical monsoon-type climate, with a hot and rainy summer and dry winter. January is the coolest month with temperatures averaging close to 78˚ F, and April the warmest temperatures from 91–96˚ F. The climate is one of the wettest in the world with most areas receiving more than 1525 mm of rain per year, with areas in the hills receiving up to 5080 mm, occurring during the monsoon season in June–September. Bangladesh can be subject to cyclones during the months of April/ May and September/ November. These cyclones originate over the Bay of Bengal and can be fierce and unpredictable, but generally cause most damage in the open countryside.

Travel and accommodation in the country outside Dhaka is basic. Bangladesh can provide a base for visiting other South and Southeast Asian countries. Fogarty Scholars should apply for a multiple entry visa of at least one year duration.

More information is available for Fogarty Scholars on the Field Experience pages on the ICDDR,B website at www.icddrb.org