GAIBANDHA, June 15, 2021(BSS)- Speakers at a function yesterday underscored the need for improving the nutrition status of all citizens including children, adolescents, persons with disabilities, pregnant and lactating mothers of the country.
“In this context, the holistic approaches and active cooperation of GO, NGO and the stakeholders of the society are very essential to attain the cherished goal,” they said.
They made the observations while addressing a concluding ceremony of a two-day training workshop for Training for Trainers(TOT) on ‘Nutrition Governance and Annual Plan Development’ held at the auditorium of Momo Inn in Bogura.
Sustained Opportunity Nutrition Governance (SONGO) Project being implemented in Gaibandha and Kurigram districts by RDRS Bangladesh, a well-reputed NGO in the country, and Netherland-based international development organization ICCO with the financial support of European Union arranged the workshop for the members of Gaibandha district nutrition coordination committee(DNCC) and its Sadar, Fulchhari and Sundaganj upazilas nutrition coordination committee(UNCC).
Director General (DG) of Bangladesh National Nutrition Council (BNNC) Dr. Md Khalilur Rahman addressed the function as the chief guest while Civil Surgeon of Gaibandha Dr, AM Akhter Hossain spoke at the event as special guest with Chairman of Gaibandha Zila Parishad Ataur Rahman Sarkar Ata in the chair.
Deputy Directors (DDs) of BNNC Dr Akter Imam and Dr. Farzana, Adviser of nutrition governance of SONGO-ICCO Project Md. Taufiqul Islam and Senior Technical Coordinator of Care Md Hafizul Islam addressed the workshop as resource persons.
Earlier, Mostafa Nurul Islam Reza, operation head of SONGO project made a welcome speech and gave a power point presentation on goals, overview, outcomes, achievement, learning and challenges of the project elaborately.
The speakers said Bangladesh had achieved remarkable success in food production taking pragmatic measures by the government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
As the country has ensured food security, the government is actively considering how nutritious food is ensured for all citizens of the country to build a healthy nation, they further said.
“Most of the people live in rural areas of the country have no vast ideas about nutrition and nutritious food which are available in the society,” the speakers said, adding that an emphasis should be given to conduct awareness activity among the rural people about the qualities of nutrition and how they would get available health benefits from the nutritious foods.
Many recommendations and working plans were also adopted during the workshop and all the participants underscored the need for implementing the recommendations and working plans anyhow aimed at enhancing the nutrition status among all citizens under the project command areas through better coordination of all concerned, they cited.
DG Md. Khalilur Rahman urged the members of the Gaibandha DNCC to work sincerely and dedicatedly and also sought whole hearted cooperation to make objectives and goals of the DNCC a grand success.
As many as 20 heads of Gaibandha district level officials who are the members of the DNCC and three UNOs of the aforesaid upazilas participated in the workshop spontaneously.
Earlier on Monday, Deputy Commissioner of Gaibandha Abdul Matin formally inaugurated the workshop as the chief guest.