Multinational cos blamed for worsening nutrition scenario

The aggression of the multinational food companies, with the active cooperation of some international organisations, is contributing to the worsening of the nutrition scenario in the country, experts told a discussion Saturday.
They noted that child malnutrition problem under the age of five can be eradicated within five years by ensuring exclusive breastfeeding and homemade balanced cereal food for children after six months.
Lack of awareness is the major cause of malnutrition coupled with other problems like food preparation, food habit, proper nutrition policy and communication strategy of the government, they added.
These observations came at an interaction meeting between media and nutrition experts at the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) in the city.
Bangladesh Health Reporter's Forum (BHRF) and Management and Resources Development Initiative (MRDI) jointly organised the programme.
Health reporters from different media participated in the discussion moderated by In-Focus Media Training Institute chief executive officer Farid Hossain.
Speakers said many organisations working in Bangladesh on nutrition issue have been serving the interest of the commercial organisations. But media people should be aware about the damaging effect of these organisations in terms of nutrition.
Citing the example of an incident at a renowned hospital of the capital, Maa O Shishu Shasthya Kendra senior consultant (pediatrician) Dr Khurshid Talukder said a mother and a child was separated soon after the delivery which hampered the breastfeeding process and led to feeding the baby with formula food.
"That process subsequently led to the child's illness. Baby milk in tin container contains germs which cause health problems," said Dr Talukder.
He warned the reporters to be careful about the subtle advertising of formula food by the international companies.
"International agencies like WHO, Unicef and WFP have built special relationship with the private organisations in the name of public-private partnership or business initiatives," he alleged, adding, achieving the target of eradicating malnutrition of under five children by establishing proper food habit is a matter of five years only.
"Our people need education and awareness. We have to be very careful about the humanitarian and commercial orgnisations," said Dr Talukder.
National Nutrition Service (NNS) programme director Dr Mustafizur Rahman said malnutrition problem can be solved only by depending on indigenous food and not on foreign technology. Although it is apparently looks good, there is always a hidden agenda.
He said the nutrition issue has always been neglected by both the politicians and physicians in Bangladesh. Criticising the ongoing Vitamin A campaign, he said although it was a short-term programme, it is still continuing to sustain the success.
He said there is no initiative on the part of the government to ban the commercial child food as there are representatives of food companies in every party.
Prothom Alo special correspondent Shishir Moral said the reports on nutrition issue has largely been neglected by the reporters compared to the general health reports. In most cases reporters write reports on nutrition issues casually while the information inside the report are given without proper understanding.  
MRDI executive director Hasibur Rahman said the number of reports on nutrition has increased recently which indicates the gatekeepers of the media organisations here now feel the importance of the issue.
Farid Hossain said the conflict between the media and the multinational food companies is a difficult one. But media owners have to be bold in publishing news.