Grimble, GK; (1985) Strengthening biochemistry and food science at the Institue of Public Health Nutrition, Dhaka, Bangladesh. (BAN NUT 002/SEA /NUT/100 , pp. pp. 1-25 ). WHO South-East Asia Region: Delhi, India.

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Abstract

Iodine status and assessment programmes at Institute of Public Health Nutrition (Dhaka, Bangladesh)- Report to WHO/SEAROPURPOSE OF ASSIGNMENTThis was to advise and assist the Institute of Public Health Nutrition, Dhaka, Bangladesh:In organizing the Laboratory Division (consisting of Nutritional Biochemistry; Clinical Nutrition; Food Analysis; Food Processing - mainly weaning food - and Microbiology, Dietetics, and Micro-nutrient analysis and Protein Research Section), to form a coherent unit to perform different laboratory studies that are required to support various field studies and to conduct independent laboratory research on nutrition.In identifying priority programmes of research in the field of dietetics and nutritional biochemistry as relevant to public health nutrition.In setting up new and special test procedures to assess the nutritional status of people by biochemical and other laboratory procedures.In organizing a training programme and to advise on training for the personnel of the Laboratory Division of the Institute.In commissioning the various laboratory equipment received by the Institute through UNDP assistance.A list of persons met and places visited during the assignment is given in Annex 1.2. EXISTING. SITUATION AND THE MAIN PROBLEMS TO BE FACEDBefore the new building housing the Institute of Public Health Nutrition (IPHN) was completed a few years ago, the laboratory facilities were situated. in the Institute of Pubic Health nearby, The Biochemistry Laboratory was transferred two years ago and, on completion of the second floor, the food science laboratory has been transferred. When the Consultant started the assignment, the room housing the latter laboratory had electricity supply but no water and no laboratory furniture. There was thus a transitional situation which was ideally suited to the implementation of good laboratory arrangement. A few rooms which were designed for use as small laboratories were used as offices or store-rooms.The main problem was therefore incomplete physical facilities; detailed recommendations on this are given later.The two laboratories are under the direction of the Division Chief, Dr A.I.M. Islam. Both laboratories have similar- staffing structures, although the titles differ. These are shown in Annex 2 and it can be seen that not all positions are filled. Five posts of officers are vacant and of these, the Food Chemist is pursuing post-graduate studies abroad while the other four officers are absent for reasons which are not clear. This situation has existed for about two years and there appears to be little likelihood of improvement in the near future. It should also be noted that during the period of this consultancy, the Food Chemist was involved in some training programmes of IPHN while one assistant biochemist received full-time training at another institute for part of the time. It was also noted that the administrative burdens on the de facto senior officers often prevented them from attending to laboratory work and supervision of the technicians.This situation is most unfortunate for two reasons. First, junior officers are unofficially acting for senior officers but do not carry the authority which goes with the senior posts. Consequently, the responsibilities for the day-to-day running of the laboratory are unevenly distributed and this does not ensure the smooth functioning of this division. In the second place, there were periods when the technicians were under-supervised.Given the present attenuated staff structure, it would be better to concentrate in future on a few topics, in depth, rather than attempt to provide a complete range of analyses of all blood and urinary metabolites of nutritional significance.

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