A stakeholder workshop on health and nutrition was held in Chapainawabganj under the 'Resilience, Entrepreneurship and Livelihood Improvement (RELI)' project of the Social Development Foundation (SDF).
The workshop was presided over by Md. Mahabubur Rashid, District Manager of SDF Chapainawabganj.
The chief guest was Dr. Md. Kamal Uddin, Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer (Additional Charge), Nachole. Also present were physicians from different departments, representatives of Nachole Upazila Health Complex, Chapainawabganj, and several community clinics of Nachole upazila.
On behalf of SDF, district officials, cluster officers of two clusters in Nachole, cluster health and nutrition facilitators, and conveners of two village organization health and nutrition support committees attended the workshop.
At the beginning of the program, District Manager Md.Mahabubur Rashid said that the RELI project is being implemented by SDF under the Financial Institutions Division of the Ministry of Finance, Government of Bangladesh. He added that the project aims to reduce poverty, enhance skills through training, create employment opportunities, engage the ultra-poor and poor in income-generating activities through financial assistance, ensure food security, build sustainable rural organizations, provide one-time grants for the underprivileged, construct rural infrastructure, create employment for unemployed youth, improve livelihoods, and deliver health and nutrition support.
Presenting details of health and nutrition initiatives, Dr. Md. Ismail, District Health and Nutrition Officer of SDF, Chapainawabganj, stated that 57 free health camps were organized in 50 village organizations of Nachole upazila, serving 2,050 patients with primary care and consultations, while 82 patients were referred for advanced treatment. A total of BDT 3,129,600 was distributed as maternity allowances among 326 pregnant women. Additionally, 27 high-risk pregnant mothers received BDT 10,000 each, totaling BDT 270,000.
SDF also distributed 7,867 packets of winter vegetable seeds and 7,481 packets of summer vegetable seeds. Between 34,000 and 59,500 pieces of iron, vitamin, calcium, and zinc tablets, along with oral saline,were provided. Furthermore, 8,500 families each received 12 bars of soap for handwashing.
Dr. Ismail further requested that hospitals and institutions ensure proper care for patients referred by SDF, noting that these patients primarily belong to ultra-poor and poor communities.
Chief guest Dr. Md. Kamal Uddin praised SDF’s health and nutrition initiatives, particularly describing the maternity and cesarean allowance programs as humanitarian and timely steps. Other guests expressed hope that they would provide maximum support to village organization members within their respective capacities.
In his closing remarks, District Manager Md. Mahabubur Rashid congratulated all participants, extended best wishes, and urged for SDF’s initiatives to be expanded nationwide, formally concluding the workshop.
