Small fish meets nourishment of mothers, children

Production of micronutrient-enriched small fishes has been increasing satisfactorily in recent years in rural Bangladesh to effectively meet nourishment of the malnourished pregnant women, lactating mothers and babies.
Following increased production and consumption of small fishes, malnutrition of the pregnant women, lactating mothers and babies in rural areas, has been reducing maternal, neonatal and infant deaths and permanent blindness.
According to the concerned experts, enhanced production and optimum intake of small fishes like “Mola”, “Darkina”, and “Dhela” substantially prevents malnutrition of the women and children, especially belonging to the poorer families in rural areas.
Rangpur Hub Manager Dr Nahiduzzaman for WorldFish of the USAID-funded Cereal Systems Initiative for South Asia in Bangladesh (CSISA-BD) said small fish production has been increasing in smaller ponds, canals, wetlands and crop fields in rural areas.
“Increasing production of small fishes assists the rural people in achieving self-reliance and optimum in-taking of micronutrient-rich small fishes by the pregnant women, lactating mothers and children helps them overcoming malnutrition,” he added.
The fishery expert also narrated the prevailing enormous prospect for enhanced cultivation of micronutrient-rich small fishes in the smaller, ponds, canals, wetlands and crop fields in rural Bangladesh despite declining of water bodies in recent decades.
Talking to BSS, child disease specialist Dr Shariful Islam here said regular intake of micronutrient-rich fishes, even in small quantities, strengthens immune systems of the babies and children helping their normal growth.
“The smaller “Mola”, “Darkina”, and “Dhela” fishes have adequate minerals and vitamins like iron and folic acid those help healthier growth of brain, immune systems and flourishing talent of the children,” he added.
Recently retired Rangpur Divisional Director (Health) Dr Shahadat Hossain said intake of small fishes and vegetables effectively prevents nutritional deficiency of the pregnant women, lactating mothers, babies and children.
“Normal growth of brain, different organs and flourishing talent of the babies and children face hurdles as a result of malnutrition of pregnant women and lactating mothers leading to severe diseases or consequences,” he added.
Gynecology Specialist and Surgeon of Rangpur Medical College and Hospital (RMCH) Dr Yeasmina said there is no alternative to meeting nutritional demand of pregnant women, lactating mothers, babies and children for a healthier nation.
She said malnutrition cases are generally being noticed among pregnant women and lactating mothers of rural areas because of their poor knowledge on nutritional foodstuffs though most of those, including vegetables, are available around them.
Gynecology Specialist Dr Kamrun Nahar of RMCH said optimum intake of small fishes and vegetables meets nutritional demand of pregnant women to ensure safe pregnancy for giving birth to healthier babies and increase milk of the lactating mothers.
According to the experts, optimum intake of micronutrient-rich smaller fishes not only meets nutritional demand, but also reduces maternal, neonatal and infant deaths and eliminates permanent blindness and other diseases.
Narrating consequences being caused following malnutrition of the pregnant women and lactating mothers, children and babies, they also suggested for the possible way-outs through disseminating nutrition education to the rural households.
However, the situation has been improving now following various steps taken by the government in creating social awareness to prevent malnutrition and increase production of micronutrient-enriched small fishes in rural areas in recent years, they said.