Experts at the workshop held recently in Dhaka on “Dissemination of National Rickets Survey” underlined the need for in-depth research to understand the causes of geographical distribution of rickets in view of the findings that despite sufficient sunlight in the coastal belt the highest proportion of the disease was found in Chittagong division (76%). Referring to the food intake pattern of consuming more animal fat and less vegetables in Chittagong and Sylhet divisions, Chief Executive of SARPV Mr. Shahidul Haque said that calcium deficiency was one of the major factors. He pointed out that 70% prevention was possible with nutritional advice and support. He revealed that on child in tribal households in the same areas could be indentified with rickets. The speakers said that preservation of dry fish with pesticide could also be a factor and laid emphasis on early detection of the disease.

The workshop, organized by SARPV and ICDDR,B, called for Government level appraisal of rickets which ‘remains a neglected health problem’. The survey was conducted in 2008 by Rickets Interest Group (RIG) which consists of ICDDR,B, BRAC, SARPV, NNP CARE, Plan Bangladesh and UNICEF.