Bangladesh has achieved notable progress in producing nutritional results, however, there is still far to go to reduce malnutrition and achieve Sustainable Development Goals, experts have said.
They made the observation at a roundtable organized under the Joint Action Nutrition Outcome (JANO) in RDRS, Rangpur on Saturday, said a press release.
The roundtable was chaired by Professor SM Abdul Matin Loskor, director of Rangpur Region, Directorate of Higher Secondary and Higher Education.
Dr Shahim Ahmed, civil surgeon of Rangpur, ATM Nazmul Huda, Md Akhtaruzzaman, Md Enayet Hossain, district education officer, Rangpur, Md Shafiqul Islam, district education officer, Nilphamari, Deputy Director, Directorate of Higher Secondary and Higher Education, Rangpur region, Md Obaydur Rahman Mondol, deputy director, Department of Agricultural Extension, Afroz Mohol, director of Program Management and Implementation at Plan International Bangladesh, Md Ashik Billah, head of Central and Northern Region Program at Plan International Bangladesh, adolescent girls, and representatives from World Vision Bangladesh, Save the Children spoke in the roundtable.
JANO project is working in Rangpur and Nilphamari districts engaging 169 higher secondary schools and 28 madrasas.
This project is being funded by European Union, and Austrian Development Cooperation and Care Bangladesh and Plan International Bangladesh are providing technical support. Eco-Social Development Organization (ESDO) is working as the implementing partner of the JANO project, reads the press release.
The keynote paper presented by Md Faiz Kausar, project manager-JANO at Plan International Bangladesh, stressed the need of creating awareness about the importance of nutrition to build a healthy nation and improve maternally and child nutrition in Nilphamari and Rangpur districts.
JANO is contributing to end malnutrition of children under five years of age, together with addressing the nutritional needs of pregnant and lactating women and adolescent girls.
The speakers discussed various issues related to nutrition knowledge and stressed that addressing malnutrition requires a multisectoral approach and wider coordination among government agencies and government and development partners.
The speakers further stressed creating more awareness at the national and community levels to mitigate the growing challenges of stunting, being underweight, obesity, and diseases like diabetes.
