National Nutrition Week-2026 has been inaugurated in districts including Khulna, Feni and Rajbari districts on Thursday with the theme "End of nutrition inequality, let's build a self-reliant Bangladesh" and with the urge to consumers to avoid packaged foods.
KHULNA: Administrator of Khulna City Corporation (KCC) Nazrul Islam Manju on Thursday stressed the need for developing the habit of consuming vegetables and fruits daily. He also urged people to avoid packaged and unhealthy foods.
Emphasising the importance of maintaining nutritional value, he highlighted proper practices in food production, transportation, preservation, and cooking. Nutritious food, he said, enhances human immunity calling on everyone to be aware of consuming safe and nutritious.
He made the remarks as the chief guest while inaugurating National Nutrition Week on Thursday at Shaheed Hadis Park in the city.
Civil Surgeon (CS) of Khulna Dr. Mosammat Mahfuza Khatun presided over the event.
Among others, Deputy Director of the Local Government Department of the District Administration Md. Ariful Islam and Deputy CS Dr. Md. Mizanur Rahman spoke while Senior Health Officer of the CS Office Md. Abul Kalam Azad conducted the event.
Following the discussion, a colourful rally led by the KCC administrator started from Shaheed Hadis Park, paraded different roads, and ended at the CS's office in Khulna. People from various walks of life took part in the rally.
FENI: Superintendent of Police (SP) Shafiqul Islam inaugurated the day-long fair on the CS office premises on Thursday.
Additional Deputy Commissioner (Development and Human Resources) Fahamida Haque was present as the special guest at the discussion meeting organised at the CS office conference room after the inauguration and rally.
CS Dr Rubaiyat Bin Karim chaired the meeting, and District Information Officer SM Al-Amin, District Education Officer Md Shafi Ullah, Deputy Director (DD) of the Department of Family Planning Md Mostafizur Rahman, DD of the Department Youth Development Saifuddin Hasan Ali, Sadar Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer ASM Sohrab Al Hossain, District EPI Superintendent Kajal Kanti Pal, CS Office Medical Officers Dr Amir Khasru and Dr Imam Hasan and other health department officials were present.
The chief guest said that there is no alternative to consuming safe, nutritious and balanced food to keep the body healthy. One should eat a balanced diet every day, including vegetables, fish, and meat, do physical work, exercise, and make it a habit to eat more protein and non-vegetarian food, and small fish.
RAJBARI: Marking the week, a discussion meeting was held at the conference room of the CS Office, chaired by CS Dr SM Masud. Officials from different government departments took part in an extensive discussion on the nutritional value of food, focusing on factors that degrade food quality and ways to improve its nutritional standards.
Speakers included Superintendent of Rajbari Sadar Hospital Dr Mohammad Abdul Hannan, Principal of Rajbari Government Women's College Prof Rizvi Jamal, ADC Tarif Ul Hasan, Additional SP Mohammad Shahidul Islam, DD of Family Planning AKM Kamr Uddin, District Information Officer Rekha Islam, and the others.
A week-long programme has been taken up, including dissemination of nutrition messages at religious institutions, discussions on achievements and challenges in the nutrition sector, and awareness activities on child nutrition, social safety nets, adolescent nutrition, maternal health, balanced diets, elderly nutrition, and nutrition during disasters. Competitions such as essay writing, drawing, and nutrition quizzes for children will also be held.
Speakers highlighted six essential components of food and stressed the need to avoid excessive intake of oil and fat, which can lead to early obesity and high blood pressure. They also advised reducing raw salt consumption and encouraged people to adopt balanced diets.
Discussions also covered appropriate levels of physical activity, as well as sources of vitamin A and the health risks associated with its deficiency.
Meanwhile, similar discussion meetings and rallies were held at the upazila sadar. A programme at Rajbari Sadar Upazila was chaired by Upazila Nirbahi Officer Nirupama Ray, with participation from Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Dr Md Ebadat Hossain, Medical Officer Achintya Kumar Krittaniya, Rajbari Press Club President Kazi Abdul Quddus, and NGO Federation President Md Lutfur Rahman Labu, among others.
The week-long observance will continue from April 23 to April 29 with various activities.
