Prior to her new assignment, Dr Halida was the founder-director of Bangladesh Institute of Research for Promotion of Essential and Reproductive Health Technologies and the founder-honorary managing director of Health Promotion Limited (HPL).

She received the 'Developing Countries Award 1995' from the Justus-Liebig University Giessen, Germany in recognition of her contribution to improving health status of women and children.

Established in 1953, the FPAB has been providing family planing and reproductive health services to underprivileged people in 120 upazilas across the country.