As of my last update in January 2022, the status of child health in Bangladesh has seen significant improvements over the years, yet challenges persist. Here's a detailed description: Bangladesh has made remarkable strides in improving child health outcomes over the past few decades. Efforts by the government, alongside various national and international organizations, have led to notable advancements in reducing child mortality rates, enhancing access to healthcare services, and improving overall well-being. One of the most significant achievements in recent years has been the substantial decline in child mortality rates. The implementation of various healthcare initiatives, such as expanded vaccination programs, improved maternal and child healthcare services, and community-based interventions, has played a crucial role in reducing mortality rates among infants and children under five years of age. Efforts to combat malnutrition and improve nutrition outcomes for children have also been prioritized. Programs focusing on promoting exclusive breastfeeding, providing nutritional supplements, and addressing micronutrient deficiencies have contributed to better nutrition and overall health outcomes among children. However, despite these advancements, challenges persist in ensuring universal access to quality healthcare services, particularly in rural and remote areas. Limited access to healthcare facilities, inadequate infrastructure, and socio-economic disparities continue to impact the health and well-being of children, especially those from marginalized communities. Childhood diseases such as pneumonia, diarrhea, and malaria remain prevalent in Bangladesh, posing significant health risks to children, particularly those living in impoverished conditions. Additionally, emerging health threats such as the COVID-19 pandemic have further strained healthcare systems and highlighted the need for resilient and adaptable healthcare infrastructure to address public health emergencies effectively. In response to these challenges, ongoing efforts are underway to strengthen healthcare systems, improve healthcare delivery mechanisms, and enhance access to essential services for children across the country. Collaborative initiatives involving government agencies, non-governmental organizations, healthcare professionals, and community stakeholders are crucial for sustaining progress and addressing the remaining gaps in child health. Moving forward, continued investment in healthcare infrastructure, capacity building, and innovative solutions will be essential to further improve the status of child health in Bangladesh. By prioritizing the well-being of children and ensuring equitable access to healthcare services, Bangladesh can continue its journey towards achieving better health outcomes for its youngest citizens.

1. Welcome to My Study Room
Today I will discuss about
“Status of child health in Bangladesh”

2. Introduction
Child health is a vital aspect of a nation’s development,
reflecting its commitment to the well-being and future
prosperity of its citizens. In the case of Bangladesh, a
densely populated country in South Asia, the status of
child health remains a significant concern. This
assignment aims to provide an overview of the current
state of child health in Bangladesh.

3. Child
A child means every human being below the age of eighteen (18) years
unless under the law applicable to the child, majority is attained earlier.
Child Health
Child health is a state of physical, mental, intellectual, social and
emotional well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
Healthy children live in families, environments, and communities that
provide them with the opportunity to reach their fullest developmental
potential.

4. Current Child Health Status in Bangladesh
Bangladesh has achieved remarkable progress in
population and health over the past 30 years and
is one of six countries that are on track to
achieve the MDG for reducing child mortality. In
the last 15 years, U5MR has declined from 133
deaths per 1000 live births to 65.

5. Background study of child health status
Bangladesh has achieved impressive success in many
developmental indicators in the recent past. The country has
already achieved the status of a lower middle-income country and
set ambitious goal of reaching the upper middle-income status by
2030. Achievements in the social development end has also been
remarkable. At the end of the one-and-half decade of MDGs,
Bangladesh has topped the charts in terms of attaining several
targets.

6. Cont…
The current overall situation of children’s well-being in Bangladesh is less
than what is ideal as disparities in terms of class, gender, ethnicity and
locality are vividly present.
However, research shows that malnutrition can be prevented by ensuring
adequate maternal nutrition before and during pregnancy and lactation, by
ensuring optimal breastfeeding in the first two years of child’s life, and by
providing nutritious and safe foods in early childhood. In addition, ensuring
a healthy environment with access to basic healthcare, safe water, hygiene
and sanitation services are important for proper growth of children.

7. Educational Status for Child
Education, for children There is little doubt that
Bangladesh has made leaps and bounds in the realm of
primary and secondary education in the last few
decades. The country has achieved near-universal access
to primary education and gender parity in both primary
and secondary school enrolments. In fact, Bangladesh
was one of only few countries to achieve gender parity
up to the secondary level during the implementation of
MDGs.

8. Under-five Mortality Rate (U5MR) in Bangladesh
The under-five mortality rate decreased from 144 per
1,000 live births in 1990 to 30 per 1000 live births in
2019. These improvements can be attributes to
various factors, including increased access to
healthcare services, immunization campaigns, and
improved nutrition programs.

9. Present child mortality rete in Bangladesh
The current infant mortality rate for Bangladesh in
2023 is 21.556 deaths per 1000, a 4.68% decline
from 2022. The infant mortality rate for Bangladesh
in 2022 was 22.614 deaths per 1000 live births, a
4.47% decline from 2021.

11. Infant mortality rate in Bangladesh 2021

12. Immunization Coverage
Bangladesh has made significant strides in expanding
immunization coverage for children. The Expanded
Program on Immunization (EPI) provides free vaccines
against major childhood diseases, such as polio, measles,
diphtheria, and hepatitis B. The immunization coverage for
basic vaccines, including BCG, DPT, and measles, is above
90%. However, challenges remain in reaching remote and
marginalized communities, where access to healthcare
services is
limited.

13. Malnutrition and stunting
Malnutrition remains a significant challenge for child health in Bangladesh.
Although the prevalence of acute malnutrition has decreased, chronic
malnutrition (stunting) remains high. According to UNICEF, around 36% of
Children under the age of five in Bangladesh are stunted, indicating long-
term Negative impacts on their physical and cognitive development.
Addressing malnutrition requires a multi-sectoral approach, including
improving access to Nutritious food, promoting breastfeeding, and
enhancing maternal and child Healthcare services.

14. Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH)
Access to safe water, proper sanitation, and hygiene
practices are crucial for child health. While Bangladesh
has made notable progress in improving water and
sanitation facilities, challenges persist, especially in rural
areas. Enhancing WASH infrastructure and promoting
hygiene education are essential to prevent waterborne
diseases and reduce child mortality.

15. Health services
Bangladesh has been expanding its healthcare
infrastructure and services to improve child health. The
government has implemented various programs, including
community-based healthcare, to provide better access to
healthcare in rural areas. However, there is still a need for
continued investment and improvement in healthcare
services, particularly in rural and remote regions.

16. Quality education means good teaching methods and learning
materials provided to those who are sufficiently healthy to
benefit from what is offered to them, in an environment that is
conducive to learning. Schools that cannot provide basic
amenities, such as proper toilets, clean water supply and play
areas, do not lend themselves to providing quality education,
particularly for girls, whose educational prospects suffer. Faced
with a lack of girl-friendly facilities, many parents withdraw
their daughters from school when they reach adolescence. And
evidence tells us that education, especially of girls, is critical for
the development and empowerment of women. It raises
economic productivity, reduces poverty, lowers infant and
maternal mortality, and helps improve nutritional status and
health.
Reduce Child Mortality Rate

17. Strategies of improving child health
1. Give your kids healthy meals and snacks : children need to
eat foods that are rich in nutrients, vitamins, and minerals that can
help give them energy, build strong bones, and fight diseases and
other health conditions.
2. Keep your kids active : being physically active for at least one
hour a day is another way you can ensure your child’s health.
3. Promote proper sleeping hours and sleeping patterns:
growth hormones are released during sleep. So proper sleeping
hours and sleeping patterns can have a significant impact on your
child’s growth.

18. Cont…
4. Provide your kids with a healthy and loving
environment : children need the love and support of
family and friends, especially during the first few years of
their lives.
5. Get check-ups and immunizations : Routine check-
ups, including eye exams and dental care, help provide
ways to identify and address health problems as early as
possible—when chances for treatment are better.

19. Concluding observations
Bangladesh has proceeded in economic as well as social aspects at
both micro and macro level which have helped the country to
promote child well-being in recent decades. The country has
implemented a wide number of initiatives including universal
primary education for different categories of students at secondary
level, free textbook distribution up to secondary level, and
arrangement of meals at school to promote education for all
children. Moreover, initiatives like implementing universal child
immunization, establishing community clinics, reducing the rate
of open defecation, promoting the use of sanitary latrines, and
promoting the need for washing hands several times a day have
improved the health and well-being of children across the country.

20. Thank You