Malnutrition Has Increased During the Pandemic — Communities Playing a Role Now!
Having access to food and nutrition is a fundamental right (Article 14 of IC). Curbing the mobility potential of the public has had absurd effects on the situation of poverty and furthering the goal of nutrition in the society.
POSHAN Abhiyaan
Treatment of children with Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM)
State of world’s children 2019, UNICEF — malnutrition cause 69% of world’s children deaths below 5 years old.
42% infants of age group 6–23 months were properly fed.
Only 21% received adequate diverse diet.
With COVID, 120 million have lost jobs. UNICEF has warned that additional 3 lakh children will die in India due infra shortage due to covid.
Orissa government — SOPAN (Strategy for Odisha’s Pathway to Accelerated Nutrition.) — in 22 districts, by Women and Child Development and Mission Shakti Department.
Hot cooked meals were provided to pregnant women and lactating mothers, in addition to ‘Take Home Ration’ provided under the ICDS supplementary nutrition programme.
Targeting mothers’ group — “Pada Pusti Karyakram” — Pusti sakhis.
Uniformity in implementation across the geography of all Indian states is needed.
Reduce the burden on hospital, by engaging anganawadi workers and Nutrition Rehab Centres (NRCs) at community level.
Continuum of care — between home and hospital. Improve skills of workers, improve system supports, and improve practices and community action. Healthy behaviour + health care facility + early care = will have positive impact on mother, new-born and child health.
Centre + State relationship should jell together on this mission in accelerated pace = resulting in good numbers on nutritional indicators and subsequently eradicating malnutrition.
