To reduce the incidence of low birth-weight (LBW)

Reduce the incidence of low birth-weight

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, in collaboration with the ministries of Food, Agriculture, Fisheries and Livestock, Women and Children Affairs, Local Government, Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief (MODMR), Rural Development and Cooperatives, Social Welfare, and Finance, as well as development partners, commits to reducing the incidence of low birth-weight from 14.8% in 2019 to below 10% by 2025 through the implementation of the Global Action Plan (GAP) for Wasting, and the Second National Plan of Action for Nutrition (NPAN2). The estimated total cost of further reducing the incidence of low birth-weight will be BDT 322 crore. The estimated cost for reducing low birth-weight is part of Bangladesh' efforts to reduce wasting, and is therefore also part of the budget for reducing wasting as indicated in Bangladesh' first commitment. A multi-sectoral approach targeting national reduction of low birth-weight will be engaged, while providing additional support to vulnerable, high-burden areas. Advocacy for routine monitoring through DGHS and DGFP MIS monitoring systems will be conducted, while periodic surveys (MICS and BDHS) will continue. The financial implementation of efforts will be monitored through a multi-sectoral financial tracking mechanism, under the auspices of the Bangladesh National Nutrition Council (BNNC).