Centre to combat malnutrition in a big way in Tirupati

Tirupati: In a bid to combat malnutrition in the country, the Central government has called for observing the month of September as "Poshan Abhiyan". Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced this flagship programme to improve nutritional outcomes for children, adolescents, pregnant women and lactating mothers by leveraging technology, a targeted approach and convergence of all nutrition related schemes.

Accordingly, September being observed as 'Poshan Maah' and various programmes will be held from September 3 to 30. Several ministries including Women and Child Development, Health and Family Welfare, Drinking water and Sanitation, Rural Development and others will participate in the programme and undertake activities.

The main target of the mission was to bring down stunting in children in the age group of 0-6 from the current 35 per cent to 25 per cent by 2022 and reduce anaemia among women and adolescent girls (age group of 15-49 years) and reduce low birth weight.

National Nutrition Mission (NNM) will ensure proper synergy and linking various schemes with each other to achieve common goal. Various programmes will be held during the month in all States.

The theme for this year's programme would be 'Complimentary feeding' and activities aimed at taking the importance of nutritious food to every home. ICDS staff will take up the campaign to reach every home and create awareness on the need to take clean drinking water, maintain personal hygiene and problems related anaemia and other aspects.

In Chittoor district, a rally was conducted in Chittoor town in which ICDS personnel participated in large numbers. District Collector Dr N Bharat Gupta flagged off the rally and underlined the key elements of the Poshan Maah.

Awareness programmes will be held during the month in all Anganwadi centres for children, adolescents and both pregnant and lactating women. District Medical and Health department will also be involved in these programmes.

Tests to detect anaemia will be held for students in all government and private schools and iron tablets will be distributed. Women aged between 15-49 years will be screened for anaemia at Angangwadi centres. If any child is found to be malnourished during the house visits of ASHA, Anganwadi volunteer etc., they will be sent to the Nutrition Rehabilitation Centre in Tirupati.

ORS packets and zinc tablets will be distributed during the course. Immunisation aspect also will be taken care of and vaccination will be done wherever it was not covered earlier.

Emphasis will also be laid on home-based neo natal care and home-based young childcare.  The DM&HO Dr B Ramagiddaiah has said that about 70 per cent of pregnant women were anaemic in the district which should be taken care of seriously along with reducing mother and child mortality rates. In charge ICDS PD G Aruna Devi has said that several programmes will be taken up during this month to focus on anaemic women and malnourished children.