Delivery of nutrition services under primary health care.

Nutrition is the most important of primary health care (PHC). The concept of PHC emerged at an international conference sponsored by the World Health Organization and United Nations Childrens Fund held at Alma Ata USSR in September 1978. PHC is essential health care universally accessible to the community at an affordable cost. PHC promotes proper nutrition and safe water supplies; basic sanitation; maternal and child care including family planning; immunization against major infectious diseases; control of endemic diseases; and appropriate treatment of diseases and injuries. In Bangladesh health care delivery is through an integrated health services involving the Upazila Health Complex. The National Nutrition Council plays a vital role. The technical committee collects census reports vital statistics and nutrition survey reports. Feasibility studies are suitable to assess local cooperation regarding fertilizer or insecticide programs; the relevance of schools clinics mothers club farmers club to the program; indigenous drugs and local personnel (school teacher agricultural extension staff rural development workers). The village head as well as representatives of mothers clubs farmers clubs relevant ministries and program staff engender community participation. Rural Nutrition Volunteers (RNVs) recruited from the community cover about 2000 inhabitants and provide nutrition services to pregnant and lactating women. RNVs are trained in taking and charting weights identifying kwashiorkor marasmus severe anemia gross vitamin deficiency assessing malnutrition correct age and recordkeeping of vital events. They refer acutely ill children and mothers to the nearby health center. Mothers clubs are organized to educate about food hygiene weaning diet for pregnant and breastfeeding women sanitation and child care. Farmers clubs provide improved cultivation methods. Health records collected routinely help regular evaluation of the program.