Ensuring nutrition at the district level requires a ‘Multisectoral Approach’
Food is a fundamental human right, and proper nutrition is equally essential. Nutrition is crucial for education and health. However, nutrition remains a neglected issue in many areas. A lack of understanding about nutrition is prevalent among people, and addressing this issue requires the collective efforts of both government and non-government organizations.
Awareness about nutrition must be raised at the grassroots level in every district of the country. To achieve this, it is necessary to disseminate knowledge about nutrition and ensure multisectoral nutrition services. Special focus must be placed on women's nutrition, as they are central to nutrition. Ensuring proper nutrition for women will lead to the growth of a healthy future generation. Furthermore, social awareness at the grassroots level is equally important for achieving nutritional goals.
On Sunday, December 15, speakers at a roundtable discussion titled "Opportunities, Experiences, and Challenges in Implementing Multi-Sectoral Nutrition Services at the District Level," organized by Nutrition International and Samakal at the Sayeman Beach Hotel in Cox's Bazar, highlighted these issues.
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The meeting was attended by representatives from multiple government priority departments: Agriculture, Fisheries, Livestock, Secondary and Higher Education, Women's Affairs and different government and development stakeholders such as Bangladesh National Nutrition Council, national Nutrition Service and BRAC.
The chief guest at the event was Farida Akhter, Advisor to the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock. The event was moderated by Gautam Mondal, Online In-Charge of Daily Samakal. Saiqa Siraj, Country Director of Nutrition International, delivered the introductory speech, where she highlighted the organization's work in Bangladesh as a key ally of the government and its contributions across various sectors.
The meeting also featured speeches from Mohammad Mahbubur Rahman, Director General of the Bangladesh National Nutrition Council (BNNC), Professor Dr. Anjuman Ara Sultana, Line Director of the National Nutrition Services (NSS), Prim Rizvi, Deputy Director (Training) of the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education, Mohammad Monir Hossain, Additional Director (Deputy Secretary) of the Directorate of Women's Affairs, Rubaiya Afroz, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Cox's Bazar, Dr. Asif Ahmed Howlader, Civil Surgeon of Cox's Bazar, Zeba Mahmud, Country Manager of FHI 360, Saiha Marjia, Senior Program Manager of BRAC Health Program, Dr. A.M. Khalequzzaman, Livestock Officer of Cox's Bazar, Dr. Bimal Kumar Pramanik, Deputy Director of the Department of Agricultural Extension in Cox's Bazar, Mohammad Badruzjaman, District Fisheries Officer, Dr. Mohsin Ali, Nutrition Expert, and Tumpa Moni, a beneficiary student of the Nutrition International's 'Aman' project. The keynote presentation was delivered by Iftia Zerin, National Program Manager of Nutrition International.
The event also highlighted how the ongoing AMAN (Adopting a Multisectoral Approach for Nutrition) project in Cox's Bazar is assisting the Bangladesh government in coordinating and implementing nutrition activities within the Minimum Multi-Sectoral Nutrition Package (MMNP). The project's activities are carried out through prioritized sectors and are overseen by district and upazila nutrition coordination committees. It has been working effectively.
The Nutrition International-led AMAN project in Cox's Bazar, funded by the Government of Canada, is helping the government implement the MMNP. It prioritizes nutrition services at the district and sub-district levels, aiming to address malnutrition in vulnerable and remote populations. Through this project, various programs are being conducted in Cox's Bazar's eight sub-districts, including health services and social safety net coordination.
In Cox's Bazar, approximately 63% of households are affected by food insecurity, with 35% experiencing severe insecurity, 15% moderate insecurity, and 13% low insecurity. However, only 23% of households benefit from social safety net programs, which is significantly lower than the national rural average of 34.5%. This situation highlights major challenges in health, nutrition, and social protection, reflecting the high rate of malnutrition among children and the severe nutritional issues caused by the influx of forcibly displaced Rohingya refugees. To address these challenges, Nutrition International is implementing the AMAN project since 2022.
Farida Akhter, advisor to the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock
The chief guest of the meeting, Advisor Farida Akhter, emphasized the importance of ensuring safety and good health for the people of the country. She highlighted that nutritious food is essential to achieve this goal and urged everyone to work in an integrated manner.
She stated, "When people sing a chorus, it becomes beautiful only when they harmonize in the same tune, rhythm, and tempo. Similarly, nutrition must become like a harmonious song—something we all work on together."
Stressing the need for diversity in food, she said, "I believe staying healthy is crucial for everyone. Without good health, we cannot function properly in any aspect of life. For this, diversity in food is essential. I would emphasize increasing the production of native fish. Our indigenous fish species are highly diverse, but they must be cultivated safely. Moreover, while boosting production, food safety must not be compromised."
She further highlighted the direct relationship between nutrition and mental health, saying,"Malnutrition often makes people irritable. When people are healthy, they are cheerful. A cheerful mind fosters better mental well-being."
She added, "Food is not limited to rice and lentils. It also includes fish and meat. The definition of food needs to change.'
By mentioning the importance of empowering women to enhance nutritional awareness, Farida Akhter explained, "Unless women become aware themselves, ensuring nutrition will not be possible. It is crucial to support rural women in rearing poultry and cattle. When women become their own food providers, it becomes easier to ensure their own nutrition and dietary needs. The lack of women's rights and their malnutrition are deeply interconnected. For the sake of the next generation, both men and women must become aware. However, women play the primary role. Because only empowered women can stand up for themselves."
Saiqa Siraj, country director, Nutrition International
Nutrition International has been working in Bangladesh for 28 years, while globally, it has been active for 32 years, Saiqa Siraj mentioned. The organization collaborates closely with the government, providing technical assistance to strengthen government's public health and nutrition programs. Its efforts include field-based monitoring to ensure the effective implementation of programs.
She emphasized, "Nutrition is a multidimensional issue that cannot be addressed by a single department. Therefore, a package called the Multisectoral Minimum Nutrition Package (MMNP) has been developed, involving various government departments. Each department has pledged specific actions to address nutrition. We are working in Cox's Bazar, with the support of Government of Canada, to refine and implement this approach. However, the true impact of MMNP can only be realized when it reaches all 64 districts. Advocacy and cooperation from the government are essential for this. Our goal is to reach every child with essential nutrition, regardless of whether they are the son or daughter of a fisherman or farmer, drops out of school or gets married before the age of 18."
A highlight of the discussion was the speech of Tumpa Moni, a ninth-grade student from Kolatoli Model High School, at cox's Bazar, who shared how the AMAN project transformed her life. Once isolated and malnourished, she became healthier and more confident after participating in the program. She also took on the role of a "nutrition ambassador," promoting iron tablet consumption among her peers. Tumpa said, "Initially, I was weak and struggled academically. However, after participating in the weekly iron tablet program introduced in our school, my health improved significantly, and I started excelling in my studies. Now, I help distribute iron tablets to over a hundred students in my school."
The roundtable concluded with a call to expand the AMAN project to all 64 districts of Bangladesh to address the critical nutrition challenges facing the country.
How the 'AMAN' project helped Jasmine overcome adversity
Another inspiring story came from Kawsar Jahan Jesmin, a female entrepreneur and the first elected female Vice Chairman of Eidgah Upazila Parishad in Cox's Bazar.
On December 14, Nupa Alam, the Cox's Bazar correspondent for The Business Standard (TBS), and a team from Samakal jointly conducted a field visit. The visit brought to light the success story of Jesmin, a beneficiary of the Aman Project.
Despite facing numerous challenges, including domestic violence, being defrauded into destitution, and multiple suicide attempts, Jesmin succeeded in establishing a dairy farm and became a role model in her community. The AMAN project and the Upazila Livestock Department further enhanced her knowledge of nutrition and gender equality, enabling her to support others.
Jesmin stated, "Today, I am financially independent, with a capital of over two crore taka. I also mentor around 40 aspiring entrepreneurs, sharing knowledge about nutrition, food production, and business strategies."
She believes that the main reason her dairy products have gained good business value is her focus on ensuring nutrition and maintaining quality control. For this reason, she avoids feeding her cows external formula feed and instead practices grass farming using her own bio-fertilizer. This approach not only ensures proper nutrition but also enhances her business reputation.
Asma Sultana Prova is a correspondent at The Business Standard
