Reducing prevalence of anaemia among women of reproductive age

By 2030, the Bangladesh Ministry of Health and Family Welfare – in collaboration with Ministries of Food, Agriculture, Fisheries and Livestock; Women and Children Affairs; Education; Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives; and Disaster Management and Relief; and development partners and the private sector – aims to reduce anaemia prevalence among women of reproductive age (15–49 years) from 29% (2019–20) to 21% in 2030. Bangladesh will use the prevalence of anaemia in nonpregnant and nonlactating women as a proxy indicator. This target will be achieved through the implementation of the Third National Plan of Action for Nutrition (NPAN3), National Nutrition Services and other relevant operational plans, emphasising supplementation (for example, iron-folic acid and multiple micronutrient supplements), dietary improvement (with locally available, affordable, diversified and accessible food) through counselling and fortification (fortified rice with multiple micronutrients). Progress will be tracked using the SDG Tracker and the National Micronutrient Survey.

An estimated BDT 700 million will be mobilised from public funds, development partners, NGOs and the private sector, with financial accountability ensured through a multisectoral budget tracking mechanism under the Bangladesh National Nutrition Council.