National Level Nutrition Dialogue with Faith Leaders
Urgent actions
There has been call to the religious leaders to play a sacred and influential role in enhancing the mother and child health in Bangladesh and all agreed to following action points: 1. Advance Proper Health Information. Based on platforms that religious leaders can use to disseminate accurate health information include sermons during Jumu-ah, Waz Mahfils, puja and church services. Key areas of focus include: Antenatal Care: Preach that there is deep worship (Ibadat) in taking care of a pregnant woman rather than just being a social affair. Engaging male/husbands and motivating them to take thei... Leer másr wives at least have four health check-ups during pregnancy, as well as they are fed and rest properly. Child Nutrition: Promote the concept of breastfeeding during the two years strongly. Emphasize the most important role of exclusive breastfeeding during the initial six months and introduction of complementary foods. Hygiene and Cleanliness: Encourage the importance of hygiene behavior by citing the religious doctrine that cleanliness is a component of faith. Train the communities to understand the essence of first washing hands before and after taking meals and after visiting the toilet. Vaccination: Persuade parents to make sure their children have timely life-saving vaccination and refer to it as a type of preventive care rather than a treatment. 2. Get rid of Detrimental Superstitions Take an active role in dispelling the fearful superstitions about pregnancy and childcare. This involves the opposition of such practices as refusing expectant mothers nutritious food or only depending on faith healing(Jharphuk), rather than taking sick children to the medical care. 3. Develop Family and Social Responsibility. Encourage to enhance more sense of responsibility among male members of the family especially the husbands to take care of the health and nutrition of his wife and children. Leer menos



