The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation announced yesterday that Brac was singled out for its pioneering community-based health programmes that serve 31 million poor Bangladeshis -- almost a quarter of the country's population -- and influence other health initiatives around the world.

William H (Bill) Gates, co-chair of the Gates Foundation, presented the $1 million award to Fazle Hasan Abed, founder and chairman of Brac, at the Foundation's 31st annual international conference in Washington yesterday.

"Brac has done what few others have -- they have achieved success on a massive scale, bringing life-saving health programmes to millions of the world's poorest people," said Bill Gates.

"They remind us that even the most intractable health problems are solvable, and inspire us to match their success throughout the developing world."

"Health, like social equality and freedom from poverty, is a basic human right, and is at the core of our vision for a just and enlightened Bangladesh," said Abed.

"My colleagues and I are honoured to receive this recognition, and we are pleased to announce that the award money will be used to support the new James P. Grant School of Public Health at Brac University."

A jury of international public health leaders, including the Global Health Council's board of directors and other experts from around the world, selected Brac from more than 50 other organisations nominated for the award.

Bill and Melinda Gates established the award in 2000 to draw attention to some of the most inspiring success stories in global health.