Speakers both from home and abroad have reaffirmed that social business is not just a theory - it is a growing global movement, with Bangladesh at the helm, offering scalable, sustainable and inclusive models for healthcare, education, and social transformation.

A series of discussions and dialogue took place marking the Social Business Day-2025 which generated actionable roadmaps, strategic alliances and community-led commitments to take the social business movement deeper into policy, practice and local innovation.

A vibrant networking dinner capped off the first day, where changemakers mingled, exchanged ideas and celebrated bold new directions in social innovation.

The 15th edition of Social Business Day officially began on Friday at the Samajik Convention Centre in Zirabo, Savar.

Organised by the Yunus Centre in collaboration with Grameen Group, the annual gathering brought together an extraordinary coalition of global changemakers, anchored by Prof Muhammad Yunus, Chief Advisor to the interim government and the 2006 Nobel Peace Laureate.

It was joined by global health leaders, young social entrepreneurs, athletes, changemakers, policymakers, investors, and social business pioneers from across 37+ countries.

Themed ‘Social Business is the most efficient path to ensure healthcare for all,’ this year’s event focused on how social innovation can redefine healthcare systems to be more inclusive, accessible and equitable.

The day began with a cultural segment that reflected the beauty of Bangladesh's land, the spirit of its people, and the legacy of its culture.

The opening session featured eminent voices including Dr Ismail Serageldin, co-chair of Nizami Ganjavi International Center (NGIC) and former Vice President of the World Bank, who emphasised that real development happens when the poor become the developers of their own bounty.

UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh Gwyn Lewis shared the impact of Social Business around the world.

Founder of Euglena Mitsuru Izumo spoke of the power of social business to reshape the world. Olympian and changemaker Kady Kanoute Tounkara called for empowering more youth and social entrepreneurs ‘with zero excuses’.

A defining keynote was delivered by Prof Yunus, whose vision framed the entire day. “Ideas spark more ideas. And when innovation is driven by purpose, it creates lasting change.”

He said healthcare must not be a commodity for profit or a handout for charity. “It must be redefined as a Social Business — a purposeful, sustainable model that addresses systemic challenges and ensures healthcare for all.”

This vision lies at the heart of Social Business Day 2025, where global changemakers unite under the theme: “Social Business is the most efficient path to ensure healthcare for all.”

A special spotlight session on ‘Revolutionising Healthcare’ was delivered by globally renowned cardiac surgeon Dr Devi Prasad Shetty, who underscored the need for preventive care and population-wide health screening.

“Fitness is a feeling. Health is a fact. And facts need proof,” he said, urging a shift from reactive sick-care to proactive systems that save lives through early diagnostics.

This fed into plenary 1 - the 3Ds transforming healthcare - Democracy, Demographics, and Digitisation, which explored the intersection of policy, participation, and technology.

Moderated by Ahmed Armaan Siddiqui, CEO and Board Member, Grameen HealthTech Limited and Acting CEO, Shamadhan Services Ltd, plenary 1 titled ‘The 3Ds Transforming Healthcare — Democracy, Demographics, and Digitisation’ explored how inclusive policy, active citizen participation and technology are reshaping global healthcare.

Dr Armaan emphasised the need to reimagine healthcare as a fundamental right driven by equitable access, evolving population needs, and digital innovation.

The session featured Professor Dr Sayedur Rahman, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser on participatory governance in health, Dr. Halida Hanum Akhter on digital health as a democratic equaliser, Dr. Tobias Silberzahn, CEO of A Healthier Future GmbH, Germany, on hybrid care models blending digital and physical services, Professor Rajendra Pratap Gupta, Chairman - Internet Governance Forum’s DC - Digital Health & Chairman- Commonwealth AI Consortium for Capacity Building, India, on India’s nationwide digital health rollout, Dr. Scott Leckman contrasting charity with social business, Dr Scott Leckman , General Surgeon, Former Chairman of the Board of Directors, RESULTS and RESULTS Educational Fund, USA, on the importance of digitising healthcare to improve accessibility, and Md Ashraful Hassan, Chairman of Grameen Group, shared how Grameen’s telemedicine platform has already touched millions of lives.

Together, they offered powerful insights on how the 3Ds are transforming healthcare into a more inclusive, accessible and sustainable system.

A major highlight of Day 1 was the powerful showcase of Grameen’s integrated healthcare ecosystem—spanning grassroots delivery to digital innovation.

AKM Moinuddin Chowdhury, Managing Director of Grameen Kalyan, shared how 143 health centers across 32 districts have served over 750,000 patients and reached more than 8 million people with health awareness.

Shamsul Haque Ahmed, Managing Director of Grameen Healthcare Services, outlined the impact of their eye care services: over 3 million patients served, 172,000+ surgeries completed, and a growing network of green, AI-enabled clinics—driven by a 61% female workforce—with a bold 2032 vision to build Bangladesh’s largest eye care chain.

Crowning the momentum was the global launch of Shukhee, Grameen HealthTech’s inclusive digital health platform.

“From smartphone users to feature phone users via their shortcode 10657, and rural patients supported by trained ambassadors—Shukhee is care without boundaries,” said Dr Ahmed Armaan Siddiqui, CEO of Grameen HealthTech.

The day concluded with a series of high-energy breakout sessions, each tackling urgent global challenges through the lens of social business.

From youth-led entrepreneurship to sustainable agriculture, from inclusive education to financial access, participants collaborated to co-create bold new pathways toward the 3-Zero goals.