More nutrition education needed at primary level

More nutrition education should be included in primary curriculum on priority basis to help improve nutritional status of the population, said Dhaka University Vice Chancellor Dr AAMS Arefin Siddique.

Dr Arefin who teaches communication said this while inaugurating a seminar titled "Nutrition Communication in Agriculture Extension" at the Institute of Nutrition and Food Science (INFS) of the university.

The DU VC urged print, online and broadcast media to disseminate nutrition messages among the people even at the grassroots level effectively to make them aware of the importance of nutrition.

He also urged physicians to disseminate nutrition messages among their patients along with prescribing medicines.

Representative of Food and Agricultural Organization Lalita Bhattacharya emphasised launching nutrition communication campaign effectively to increase knowledge of the people on nutrition to help ensure nutritional food and food security.

She pointed out the role of the country's agriculture extension services in disseminating nutrition massages.

INFS organised the seminar in cooperation with USAID, Integrating Gender and Nutrition within Agricultural Extension Services and Bangladesh Institute of ICT in Development (BIID) with INFS Director Dr Nazma Shaheen in the chair.

Chief Executive Officer of BIID Md Shahid Uddin Akbar was also present at the event.