The Bangladeshi professor who changed newborn care worldwide

Professor Abdullah H Baqui is one of Bangladesh’s most respected public health researchers, whose work has transformed the way mothers and newborn babies are cared for in some of the world’s poorest communities. A professor at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, he has spent decades proving that life-saving ideas do not always require expensive hospitals or advanced equipment. Instead, his work has shown that well-trained local workers, trusted partnerships, and simple care delivered close to home can save countless lives. His vision also led to the creation of the Projahnmo Research Foundation, a Bangladeshi institution that has grown from a research partnership into a globally recognised organisation shaping health policies across continents.

The journey began in 2001, when Professor Baqui and his Bangladeshi colleagues launched Projahnmo in Sylhet to tackle the high number of newborn deaths. At the time, many believed that only specialised hospitals could make a difference. Professor Baqui challenged that idea by bringing care directly into villages. The results were remarkable. Families received guidance from trained community workers, newborn babies were visited at home, and deaths during the first month of life fell by more than one-third. The findings later influenced international recommendations and inspired similar programmes in many countries.

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Community health workers examine newborn’s umbilical cord.

Projahnmo continued to build evidence for practical solutions. Its research showed that babies who could not reach hospitals could still receive safe treatment closer to home. Another study found that cleaning a newborn’s umbilical cord with a simple antiseptic greatly reduced infections and saved lives. The organisation also contributed to research that improved the care of babies born too early. These discoveries were adopted into national and international guidance, helping millions of families beyond Bangladesh.

Yet Professor Baqui believes that lasting change depends on more than research alone. He has consistently championed local leadership, encouraging Bangladeshi researchers to lead studies, influence policy, and build strong institutions. In 2017, Projahnmo became an independent Bangladeshi foundation, extending its work across multiple districts while partnering with governments and international organisations. His philosophy is simple: treat partners equally, build trust, and share credit generously. That belief has created a lasting legacy, proving that when local people lead local solutions, the impact reaches far beyond borders and benefits future generations.

Professor Baqui’s decades of work recently received international recognition when the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health featured him in its IH Legacy Series. The honour celebrated how his vision transformed Projahnmo from a small research partnership in Bangladesh into a globally recognised, Bangladeshi-led institution shaping care for mothers and newborns worldwide.