What Damien Foundation does

Damien Foundation is a Belgian non-denominational, pluralistic non-governmental organization founded in 1964 dedicated to the control and elimination of leprosy and tuberculosis. The foundation operates in 16 countries across Asia, Africa, Latin America, and Europe, with its Bangladesh country program — established in 1972 for leprosy and expanded in 1991 to include tuberculosis — being the second-largest implementing NGO for TB in Bangladesh. In Bangladesh, the foundation operates four field projects (Tangail, Mymensingh, Netrakona, and Rajshahi TB & Leprosy Control Projects) covering 14 districts through 161 service points embedded within government health infrastructure, supported by three specialized referral hospitals with a combined 255 beds and a Regional TB Reference Laboratory at Rajshahi.

The foundation's core technical capabilities center on TB and leprosy diagnostics and treatment. Its diagnostic network comprises 82 GeneXpert (MTB-RIF), 2 Xpert XDR, and 18 Trunat machines for molecular TB detection, alongside a pioneering TB culture laboratory at Netrakona established in 2002 under technical supervision of the Institute of Tropical Medicine (ITM), Antwerp. The foundation developed the internationally recognized "Bangladesh Regimen" — a 9-month Shorter Treatment Regimen (STR) for MDR-TB — which was endorsed by WHO in 2016, has been used to treat over 500 consecutive MDR-TB patients, and forms the basis for the WHO-recommended Shorter Oral Treatment Regimen (SOTR). The organization publishes operational research in peer-reviewed journals that informs national and international TB/leprosy policy.

Damien Foundation's revenue model relies on international donor funding coordinated through its Brussels headquarters, partnerships with the Government of Bangladesh, and grants; revenue is not publicly disclosed. Services are delivered free of charge to patients through an MoU-based collaboration with the National Tuberculosis Control Program (NTP), National Leprosy Elimination Program (NLEP), and Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. In 2025, the foundation treated 28,912 tuberculosis patients (90% success rate), 123 drug-resistant TB patients (78% success rate), and 249 leprosy patients (95% success rate). The foundation is also a member of the International Federation of Anti-Leprosy Associations (ILEP).

Name

Damien Foundation

Legal name

Damien Foundation

Website

https://damienfoundation-bd.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1964

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Damien Foundation is a Belgian non-profit NGO providing tuberculosis and leprosy diagnosis, treatment, and community outreach in Bangladesh since 1972 through 161 government-integrated service points and three referral hospitals across 14 districts.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Health Services

NAICS

Medical Laboratories (621511), Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417)

SIC

Services-Medical Laboratories (8071), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Tuberculosis & Mycobacterial Diseases (HLAKAGAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Disease-Specific Reference Laboratory Networks (e.g., TB, HIV, Influenza) (HLAJAIAD), Disease-Specific Global Programs (HIV/TB/Malaria/NTDs) (HLAJAKAF), Global Health Research, Clinical Trials & Product Development Partnerships (PDPs) (HLAJAOAM)

Keywords

• Tuberculosis treatment services
• Leprosy care programs
• Drug-resistant TB management
• Public health services
• Infectious disease control

Headquarters

HQ city

Dhaka

HQ country

Bangladesh

HQ region

Asia

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. NGO Funding and Government Partnerships: As a Belgian non-governmental organization founded in 1964, Damien Foundation operates through funding from international donors, partnerships with government health programs (NTP, NLEP), and collaboration with the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare Bangladesh. The foundation works under MoU with National Tuberculosis Control Program on behalf of the Government of Bangladesh.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Damien Foundation delivers free diagnosis, treatment, and community outreach services for tuberculosis and leprosy in Bangladesh through an integrated network of 161 service points within government health facilities, three referral hospitals (Jalchatra, Mymensingh, Netrakona), and a Regional Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory at Rajshahi. The foundation pioneered drug-resistant TB management via the internationally recognized Bangladesh Regimen — a 9-month Shorter Treatment Regimen endorsed by WHO in 2016 — supported by GeneXpert, Trunat, and TB culture/DST laboratory capabilities.

Product overview

Damien Foundation operates as a comprehensive healthcare NGO providing TB and Leprosy control services through an integrated network of projects, hospitals, and laboratories in Bangladesh. The organization's offerings include: TB & Leprosy Control Services delivered through 161 service points across 14 districts; DR-TB Management pioneered with the Bangladesh Regimen; Diagnostic Laboratory Services utilizing Gene Xpert and Trunat machines; and four field projects (TTLCP, MTLCP, NTLCP, RTLCP) each with dedicated hospitals. The structure combines community outreach, hospital-based specialized care, and reference laboratories for drug susceptibility testing, all coordinated with Bangladesh's National Tuberculosis Control Program.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• TB & Leprosy Control Services Comprehensive free tuberculosis and leprosy healthcare services delivered through 161 TB-Leprosy service points across 14 districts in Bangladesh, including diagnosis, treatment, contact tracing, Tuberculosis Preventive Treatment (TPT), and patient-centered care for drug-sensitive and drug-resistant TB. Targeted at TB and leprosy patients in rural and hard-to-reach areas.
• DR-TB Management (Bangladesh Regimen) Drug-resistant tuberculosis diagnosis and treatment service delivered via the 9-month Shorter Treatment Regimen (STR) for MDR-TB developed by Damien Foundation in Bangladesh, endorsed by WHO in 2016 and basis of WHO's Shorter Oral Treatment Regimen. Targeted at patients with drug-resistant tuberculosis.
• Diagnostic Laboratory Services Laboratory diagnostic services for TB and leprosy using 82 GeneXpert MTB-RIF machines, 2 Xpert XDR machines, and 18 Trunat machines, plus phenotypic culture, FDA staining, and slide culture DST at the Netrakona reference laboratory under ITM Antwerp, Belgium supervision. Targeted at TB and leprosy patients and partner clinics/hospitals.
• Jalchatra Hospital 95-bed referral hospital in Tangail, base of the Tangail TB & Leprosy Control Project, providing specialized inpatient and outpatient care for complicated tuberculosis (including MDR-TB) and leprosy patients. Targeted at patients needing specialized referral care.
• Mymensingh TB & Leprosy Hospital 100-bed referral hospital in Shambhuganj, Mymensingh, base of the Mymensingh TB & Leprosy Control Project, providing specialized hospital care for complicated TB & Leprosy cases including MDR and XDR-TB. Targeted at patients requiring complicated case management.
• Netrakona TB & Leprosy Hospital 60-bed referral hospital in Netrakona, base of the Netrakona TB & Leprosy Control Project, providing specialized care for complicated TB & Leprosy including MDR and XDR-TB cases, and housing the Pioneer TB Culture Laboratory of Bangladesh. Targeted at patients needing specialized care and advanced TB diagnostics.
• Regional Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory (RTRL) Regional TB Reference Laboratory at Rajshahi Chest Disease Hospital providing MDR-TB diagnosis and management for Rajshahi and Rangpur divisions (16 districts), with GeneXpert and slide Culture DST capabilities. Targeted at clinicians and patients across northern Bangladesh divisions.
• Community Outreach Programs Health education, community engagement, contact tracing through household visits, Tuberculosis Preventive Treatment (TPT), and outreach services in remote and hard-to-reach areas through engagement of community groups, TB survivors, village doctors, and private sector informal providers. Targeted at rural and underserved populations in Damien Foundation's coverage districts.
• Operational Research and Publications Operational research projects and peer-reviewed publications contributing to evidence-based TB and leprosy care and informing national and international policy recommendations, including the foundational research behind the Bangladesh Regimen for MDR-TB (over 500 consecutive patients documented). Targeted at public health researchers, policy makers, and WHO/global health bodies.
• Tangail Tuberculosis & Leprosy Control Project (TTLCP) District TB and leprosy control project covering 3 districts (Tangail, Jamalpur, Sherpur) with a population of 6.6 million, supporting 34 combined TB & Leprosy clinics and Jalchatra Hospital. Targeted at TB and leprosy patients across the three districts.
• Mymensingh Tuberculosis & Leprosy Control Project (MTLCP) District TB and leprosy control project covering Mymensingh and Kishoreganj districts with a population of 9 million, supporting 34 combined clinics and microscopy centres. Targeted at TB and leprosy patients in Mymensingh and Kishoreganj districts.
• Netrakona Tuberculosis & Leprosy Control Project (NTLCP) District TB and leprosy control project covering approximately 2.6 million population with 12 combined TB & Leprosy clinics and specialized hospital care at Netrakona TB & Leprosy Hospital. Targeted at TB and leprosy patients in Netrakona district.
• Rajshahi Tuberculosis & Leprosy Control Project (RTLCP) District TB and leprosy control project covering Rajshahi, Chapai Nawabganj, and Naogaon districts with a population of 6.7 million, supporting 31 combined clinics and DOTS corner at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital. Targeted at TB and leprosy patients in northwestern Bangladesh.

Quantifiable outcome

• 90% TB treatment success rate
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.

• Institute of Tropical Medicine (ITM) Antwerp, BelgiumcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2002Technical support partnership for TB culture laboratory at Netrakona. The laboratory functions under close supervision of the Mycobacteriology laboratory of ITM, Antwerp, Belgium since 2002.
• National Tuberculosis Control Program (NTP) BangladeshcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration based on MoU signed between NTP on behalf of Government of Bangladesh and LTCC (Leprosy & Tuberculosis Coordinating Committee). Damien Foundation works under this partnership to implement TB control activities in Bangladesh.
• National Leprosy Elimination Program (NLEP) BangladeshcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClose collaboration with National Leprosy Program (NLP)/NLEP for leprosy elimination efforts in Bangladesh.
• Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoH&FW) BangladeshcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorks in close collaboration with the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh for TB and leprosy control.
• International Federation of Anti-Leprosy Associations (ILEP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDamien Foundation is a member of ILEP, which coordinates the activities of organizations active in leprosy control and care worldwide.
• SRL Antwerp, BelgiumsecondaryTechnology or IntegrationQuality Assurance system for laboratories developed through regular monitoring mechanism by the Reference laboratory at Netrakona, working with technical support of SRL, Antwerp, Belgium. Samples sent to Antwerp supra-national reference lab for quality control.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Médecins Sans Frontières: MSF operates TB and DR-TB treatment programs globally, including in Bangladesh-adjacent countries. Comparable as a major international NGO providing infectious disease care in low-resource settings with strong operational research output.
• Partners In Health: Partners In Health is a global health nonprofit operating MDR-TB treatment programs across multiple low-resource countries. Comparable as a non-profit deliverer of drug-resistant TB care with strong clinical research orientation, though with broader disease scope.

Others

• Stop TB Partnership: Stop TB Partnership is a global coordinating body that channels funding and strategy for TB implementers including Damien Foundation. Comparable as an ecosystem participant and funder that shapes the TB implementation landscape in which the company operates.
• TB Alliance: TB Alliance is a non-profit product development partnership developing faster-acting TB treatment regimens. Thematically comparable as a research-driven non-profit advancing TB therapeutics, including the all-oral regimens that built on the Bangladesh Regimen.
• International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease: The Union is a global scientific organization advancing lung health and TB control through technical assistance, research, and conferences. Comparable as a peer ecosystem organization that shapes TB implementation standards and convenes implementers like Damien Foundation.
• World Health Organization (Global TB Programme): WHO's Global TB Programme sets international TB treatment guidelines and endorsed the Bangladesh Regimen. Comparable as the standards-setter that validates Damien Foundation's protocols and shapes the regulatory environment for its work.

Direct peers

• LEPRA (Lepra Society): LEPRA is a UK-based leprosy-focused NGO active in Bangladesh and other countries. Directly comparable as a fellow ILEP member providing leprosy and TB services through similar community-based delivery models.
• BRAC: BRAC is the largest implementing NGO in Bangladesh and a major partner of the National TB Control Program, delivering community-based TB services at far greater scale than Damien Foundation. Directly comparable as a TB and leprosy service delivery NGO in the same geography.
• The Leprosy Mission International: The Leprosy Mission is one of the largest ILEP member organizations focused on leprosy treatment, disability prevention, and rehabilitation across multiple countries. Closely comparable in mission and patient population to Damien Foundation's leprosy work.
• NLR (until No Leprosy Remains): NLR International is a Netherlands-based ILEP member organization active in leprosy control and disability prevention across Asia and Africa. Comparable as a peer ILEP NGO with overlapping leprosy elimination mission and country footprint.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/damien-foundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Damien Foundation