For the first time in Bangladesh, the government has initiated a survey to detect the presence of lead, heavy metals, and anaemia in the bodies of women and children.
The Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics and UNICEF Bangladesh launched the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey 2024-25 on Tuesday at the BBS auditorium in Dhaka.
BBS director and spokesperson of the study Md Masud Alam said that it was the 7th round of the MICS survey, aiming to assess 200 indicators related to health, nutrition, water, sanitation, education, and child protection among children and women.
This year, for the first time, the survey will include critical health issues such as the presence of lead, heavy metals, and anaemia in women and children.
The survey will cover an estimated 67,000 households across 64 districts, with a report expected in November 2025. The estimated expenditure for the study is set at Tk 15 crore.
State minister for planning Shahiduzzaman Sarker emphasised the importance of accurate data for effective development planning and stressed the need for skill and integrity among those, conducting the survey.
Planning secretary Shahnaz Arefin highlighted the government鈥檚 efforts to enhance the capacity of its agencies.
UNICEF country representative Sheldon Yett noted that the data, produced by BBS and UNICEF, was trusted by UN agencies and the government for their planning needs.
The event also featured speeches from BBS director general Mohammed Mizanur Rahman and deputy director general Obaidul Islam.
The first MICS in Bangladesh was launched 30 years ago.