Speakers at a campaign yesterday called for united action to combat pervasive child malnutrition in the country.
Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF), a year-long communication campaign, was launched at Osmani memorial auditorium in the city.
Health Minister Prof AFM Ruhal Haque inaugurated the campaign that aims to increase awareness in the society and ensure proper feeding practice of children.
Haque said, “The government of Bangladesh would like to prioritise infant nutrition with regards to exclusive breastfeeding and complementary feeding.”
”The period between the birth and successive 24 months provides a critical chance to impact the long-term health and development of children.”
Speakers at the event quoted Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS) as saying 41 percent children under the age of five in the country are underweight, 43 percent stunted, and 17 percent wasted for undernourishment.
Prof Fatima Parveen Chowdhury, line director of the Institute of Public Health and Nutrition, presided over the launching session.
