Bangladesh

The Government of Bangladesh is highly committed to improving coordination among stakeholders working on nutrition. The country has a joint declaration under the SUN Secretariat, enabling all platforms to work towards the same target and achieve the same goals. An assessment was carried out on the current situation of nutrition-sensitive indicator coverage in key sectors, with gaps identified. A strategy was then developed to overcome bottlenecks relating to underlying causes and to assist in the preparation of a community-based model to improve coverage and the nutrition of children and women. The framework for the model of community- targeted actions has been prepared and approved.

Bangladesh is trying to improve both human resource capacity and institutional capacity. Under the National Nutrition Services Operational Plan, training is provided to field workers, managers and the central-level monitoring entity to build their capacity. Fundraising is another important area to strengthen the country’s capacity. The Prime Minister is very keen to improve the nutrition situation, as evidenced during the COVID-19 pandemic through her directions for all relevant ministries to work on improving the nutritional status of children, adolescents and mothers. This resulted in more funds being directed towards the food, agriculture and livestock sectors.

The SUN MSP has provided opportunities for collaboration among partners and stakeholders. Multisectoral coordination platforms and mechanisms also exist under the National Nutrition Council (NNC), such as the Executive Committee, headed by the Minister of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), to which relevant ministries and partners are members. There are five nutrition-specific and -sensitive platforms under the NNC that focus on capacity-building, advocacy, communication, monitoring, evaluation and research. Under the MoHFW, 11 operational plans have been developed, with 21 ministries and 16 districts having prepared individual annual nutrition workplans budgeted using their own resources.