To ensure nutrition for all

A shamble state of nutrition has recently been reported in the well-off parts of Bangladesh. As it appeared in The Daily Star (December 1, 2014), Sylhet division has the highest rate of children suffering from under nutrition and stunted growth, followed by Chittagong. The North-east part of Bangladesh has the highest rates of stunted and underweight children. Findings from recent nutrition mapping by Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) and World Food Programme (WFP) appear to surprise many because Sylhet region is well known for being the wealthier part of Bangladesh. Still, Sylhet shows lowest progress on tackling chronic malnutrition.

Bangladesh is one of the earliest signatories of Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and has made commendable progress in reducing child mortality. It has been stated in Article 24(1), “States Parties recognise the right of the child to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health and to facilities for the treatment of illness and rehabilitation of health. States Parties shall strive to ensure that no child is deprived of his or her right of access to such health care services”.  

However,  combating malnutrition has been suggested in Article 24(2) “States Parties shall pursue full implementation of this right and, in particular, shall take appropriate measures: (a) To diminish infant and child mortality; (b) To ensure the provision of necessary medical assistance and health care to all children with emphasis on the development of primary health care; (c) To combat disease and malnutrition, including within the framework of primary health care, through, inter alia, the application of readily available technology and through the provision of adequate nutritious foods and clean drinking-water, taking into consideration the dangers and risks of environmental pollution”.

It is commendable that Bangladesh already met the target of reducing under-five mortality rate: against the target of achieving 48 per 1,000 live births in 2015, it has already achieved 44 per 1,000 live births in 2011. The target of reducing the infant mortality rate is also on track. The successful programs for immunization, control of diarrhoeal diseases and Vitamin A supplementation are considered to be the most significant contributors to the decline in child and infant deaths. However, there is growing concern regarding combating malnutrition.

According to Bangladesh Poverty Maps 2010, Rangpur and Barisal divisions have the highest poverty rates while Chittagong and Sylhet divisions have the lowest. However, malnutrition is not limited to poor households and nutrition mapping confirms the mismatch. At least 44.6 percent children below the age of five in Sylhet have stunted growth, while 38.5 percent are underweight, according to nutrition map. Sylhet has the highest rates of inequality and stunting is known to be more prevalent amongst the extreme poor.

Researches reveal that stunting has negative impact on children's learning too. Stunted children are more likely to start school later and drop out, and are less able to learn due to compromised brain and mental development at a young age. Stunting at age two is associated with reduced school attendance of nearly one year and a 16 percent increased risk of a child failing at least one grade while attending school.

While Bangladesh submitted the last periodic report to CRC committee, the Committee noted with interest the information from the State party delegation on the newly adopted “Vision 2021” which aims to double GDP per capita, reduce poverty and create a more inclusive and equitable society. However, regional inequality still exists and it is apparent from nutrition mapping. In order to create inclusive and equitable society, stunting problem must be addressed.

THE WRITER IS A HUMAN RIGHTS WORKER.