Special attention to the health and nutritional status of pregnant women and lactating mothers. Universal access to safe drinking water and a sanitary means of excreta disposal. Institution of a monitoring system of child survival, including family planning programmes, with a view to strengthening their linkage. The World Health Organization has devised a simple growth chart called The Road to Health card. The mother keeps the card in a cellophane envelope and brings it with her when her child has regular clinic visits.
Weight is taken monthly and plotted on the growth chart.
Oral Rehydration Therapy Diarrhoeal diseases are a major cause of the death of children and a leading cause of malnutrition in Bangladesh. The programme is carried out along with the existing primary health care service delivery system. In addition, a total of 460 ORT centres have been established in these health complexes. Breastfeeding Breastfeeding is essential and is the most crucial element for child survival and development. It is considered the first immunization of the child, and provides optimum growth for up to five months of age.