admin
The government launches on an important nationwide survey aimed to comprehensively understand the health landscape of women and children, delving into crucial data, such as blood lead levels, to ensure their well-being and safety.
The Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), supported by UNICEF, launches large-scale household survey on the situation of children and women in the country UNICEF and BBS announce to conduct the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) marking a comprehensive data collection effort that reveals critical insights into the lives of children and women.
The Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) and UNICEF officially announced the launch of the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS): Round 7 (2024-2025) in Bangladesh on Tuesday.
MICS is a household survey to collect essential data on children and women, gathering critical evidence on their lives and access to essential services. The survey is an important source of data for national authorities to guide them in formulating policies, plans, and programmes to respond to their needs.
Among some of the new features of this round, MICS will collect data on blood lead levels (BLL), heavy metals, micronutrients, and anaemia for the first time in Bangladesh. This is vital as environmental health risks significantly impact children’s health, with nearly one in three deaths among children under five being preventable by addressing these risks.
BBS and UNICEF have collaborated for decades to conduct MICS surveys. The first MICS in Bangladesh was launched 30 years ago, and subsequent rounds have significantly contributed to improving the lives of women and children in the country. This wealth of data has been a game changer for achieving children’s rights, and the work developed by UNICEF, policymakers, the government, and partners.
Md Shahiduzzaman Sarker, State Minister for Planning said, “I congratulate BBS and UNICEF for initiating the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey that will provide accurate information on the needs of children and disadvantaged women in our country, allowing us to address data gaps on the Sustainable Development Goals and enable effective planning and implementation through timely data.”
The upcoming MICS will include nearly 200 health, nutrition, water, sanitation, education, and child protection indicators. These data points are crucial for monitoring progress toward achieving the ambitious UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 and evaluating the 8th Five-Year Plan 2020-2025.
During the launch, UNICEF Representative to Bangladesh, Sheldon Yett said, “UNICEF is proud to collaborate with the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics to conduct the next round of the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey, a critical source of data on the fulfilment of rights and wellbeing of children in this country.”
The survey will be conducted nationwide, including the two main city corporations of Dhaka North and Dhaka South with a separate component that will cover issues facing the Rohingya refugee population in the country. Detailed survey plans, budgets, and questionnaires will be finalised in collaboration with BBS. The tentative timeline of MICS 2024-2025 include finalization of sampling design, methodology and survey tools in June-July, 2024, pretest of questionnaires in August 2024, development of CAPI, mapping and listing in September 2024, dry run of water quality and BLL test in October 2024, training of trainers in November 2024, training of fieldwork staff in December 2024, fieldwork for final data collection in January-April 2025, data processing and analysis in May-June 2025, survey key findings in June 2025, final report preparation in October 2025, and dissemination in November 2025.
