6m children now stunted for malnutrition

Six million children in the country have become stunted due to malnutrition resulting from inadequate complementary feeding and open defecation, experts and officials said on Monday.
As a result, their heights and weights are lesser than normal growth, statistics said.
The figure was revealed at a round-table discussion on 'Approaches to Stunting-free Villages: A Brainstorming' workshop and at launching of a project titled 'Stunting Free Villages: Impact Monitoring of WASH Service Outcomes' jointly organised by the Max Foundation Bangladesh in the city. The Bhorer Kagoj was a media partner.
To lessen this alarming number, experts and professionals suggested coordinated action and strong monitoring by the government and non- government organisations working in the country.
Subhasis Chandra Sarkar, joint secretary of the ministry of health and family welfare, was present at the meeting as chief guest while among others Bhorer Kagoj editor Shyamal Dutta, Max Foundation country director Imam Mahmud Riad, its consultant Mark Ellery and others were present.
It was revealed in the discussion that about 41 per cent of children under five are stunted (low height for age), 16 per cent wasted (low weight for height) and 36 per cent underweight (low weight for age).
Max Foundation Bang-ladesh country director Imam Mahmud Riad said on pilot basis they are going to launch a project in four villages of Patuakhali district aiming to make the villages free from stunting and create awareness among the people on health and nutrition.
Shamim Ahmed, head of policy and advocacy of the Water Aid said coordinated work among the government and the non-government organisations can help reduce the number of the stunted children.
He said hand-wash practice can save children from many deadly diseases and there should be awareness among the rural people.
BRAC representative Mamun Miah said availability of micro nutrients like zinc, iron and others can help reduce stunting.
He said in their field experience they have seen that most of the villagers do not maintain hygienic standards while preparing complementary food for their babies.
It was emphasised that chemical use in food and open defecation should be avoided.
The workshop was told that only inadequate food is not responsible for stunting but other causes like lack of sanitation, hygiene and some other problems should be removed so that children could grow in their natural way.
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