ICT4 Nutrition: Revolutionizing Nutritional Development for All

The District Nutrition Coordination Committee (DNCC) of Rangpur District, in collaboration with the Joint Action Nutrition Outcome (JANO) project, proudly hosted the "ICT4  Nutrition Workshop" recently  RDRS, Rangpur. This event marked a significant step in advancing nutritional development through innovative ICT interventions. The event’s objective was to share the learnings, challenges, and opportunities of JANO’s ICT4Nutrition 

interventions. Among various nutrition-based initiatives, the project is supporting the government in alignment with the second National Plan of Action for Nutrition (NPAN 2), by introducing ICT-based tools for ensuring better coordination among the multi-sectoral government departments and to enhance knowledge and awareness of community people. So far, the project has reached 4 lacs people through ICT-based interventions. JANO project is funded by the European Union with co-funding support from the Austrian Development Cooperation and is being implemented by CARE, PLAN International Bangladesh and ESDO. 

The event started with a welcome speech from Dr. Md. Wajed Ali, Civil Surgeon, Rangpur, followed by a brief presentation on JANO ICT interventions and an interactive panel discussion themed "ICT4Nutrition: Challenges and Opportunities." Esteemed panelists included Md. Enamul Haque, District Training Officer, Directorate of Agricultural Extension, Rangpur, Mst. Jilufa Sultana, Deputy Director – Local Government, Rangpur, Dr. Sheikh Md. Saidul Islam, Deputy Director - Family Planning and Md. Shafiqul Islam, Deputy Director – Secondary and Higher Education, Rangpur. Maruf Azam, Consultant at JANO Project, CARE Bangladesh, adroitly moderated the discussion. 

Md. Habibur Rahman, Divisional Commissioner, Rangpur, Rangpur, as the chief guest, said, “The online monitoring and evaluation system fosters coordination at the sub-national level enabling effective implementation, monitoring and review of progress in nutrition action plans.” Mohammad Mobasswer Hasan, Deputy Commissioner and president of District Nutrition Coordination Committee, Rangpur chaired the event. He said, “I believe that today's ICT workshop will be a milestone event for the improvement of nutrition status for the people of Rangpur.” Md. Abu Zafor, Additional Divisional Commissioner, Rangpur Division, Rangpur, as special guest said, “ICT has brought many changes in terms of methods, tools and techniques, which have made data collection, analysis and dissemination easier. 

With the growing importance of the Internet, mobile phones and other technologies, the potential for using ICT for nutrition programs is enormous.” Dr. A. B. M. Abu Hanif, Divisional Director (Health), Rangpur Division, Rangpur, as Special Guest said, “We need to work collectively to develop innovative solutions to promote nutrition. I thank BNNC and JANO Project for their outstanding work.” Dr. Md. Zahangir Kabir, Deputy Director (Health), Rangpur Division, Rangpur as a special guest, said, “Technology has enabled us to collect and disseminate information. In today's environment, technology is a sustaining force. 

Facilitating the exchange of knowledge among individuals is a vital success factor in nutrition initiatives”. Ashik Billah, Head of Central and Northern Region, PLAN International Bangladesh, as a special guest said, “the system-level changes that JANO brought through it’s ICT interventions will imply a significant contribution in the nutrition governance landscape of Bangladesh. Md. Ayub Hossain Sujon, District Focal, Eco-Social Development 

Organization (ESDO), Rangpur, as special guest, said “JANO has supported to develop web-based nutrition information system that is helping us to see a holistic picture of the nutrition situation of the district.” Officials from government departments, Journalists, NGOs, and private sector officials were there who supported to make the event successful.