Call to make Poshan Abhiyaan a success in Warangal

Warangal: The emphasis is on all line departments to put up concerted effort to address the problem of malnutrition among children, adolescent girls and women, Warangal Rural District Welfare Officer B Santhosh said.

Speaking at a meeting here, he said that Poshan Abhiyaan, a flagship programme of the Central Government, aimed at addressing malnutrition among children, adolescent girls and women, was launched on September 8, 2018.

"The initiative focuses on goals such as reducing stunting, under-nutrition, anaemia among young children, women and adolescent girls. The aim is to reduce low-birth weight by 2 per cent, 3 per cent and 2 per cent per annum respectively. The target is to achieve desired results is 2022," Santhosh said. He said that first 1,000 days of a child are the most critical, which includes the nine months of pregnancy. He also dwelt at length on malnutrition, anaemia and hygiene practices that needed to be sensitised among the targeted groups.

Later, the Warangal Rural District Collector M Haritha, DWO B Santhosh, Poshak Abhiyaan District coordinator Kartheek Gouni, Project Assistant Kiran Kumar and DMHO Shyama Neeraja were among others present. It may be mentioned here that September is observed as National Nutrition Month to improve the nutrition of children, pregnant and lactating women and adolescents.