Collector reviews Poshan Abhiyan

Kakinada: The target of the National Nutrition Mission (NNM) is to bring down stunting in children in age group of 0-6 from 38.4 per cent to 25 per cent by 2022 and necessary efforts should be made to achieve this target, said Collector D Muralidhar Reddy.

Addressing the district convergence plan committee of Poshan Abhiyan here on Saturday evening, the Collector said that Poshan Abhiyan aims to reduce malnutrition, anemia among women and adolescent girls and low birth weight in children.

In this connection, the Collector directed the officials concerned to review the progress of parameters, identify gaps and introduce effective interventions with coordinated efforts. Muralidhar Reddy directed the medical department to ensure cent per cent achievement in breast feeding to children within one hour of birth, complementary feeding to 6 - 36 months children, promotion of sanitation at Anganwadi and health centres, Vitamin A supplementation and iron and folic acid to adolescents, women of productive age and to pregnant women.

The Collector also directed them to create awareness among the people on hygiene, health and nutrition and to make use of self-help groups for behaviour change communications. Collector asked them to educate the public on effects of alcoholism and bad habits.